MUKKAY,YOUtftf&CO. 

CHEAP  BOOK, 

Stationeiy  &  P.;r.      eal 

Stores, 

Lancaster  City. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2012  with  funding  from 

University  of  North  Carolina  at  Chapel  Hill 


http://www.archive.org/details/prayersforsabbatOOfrie 


PRAYERS 

FOR 

SABBATH   SCHOOLS, 

AND 

HYMNS  AND  PRAYERS 

FOB 

WEEK-DAY  SCHOOLS. 


A  FRIEND   OF   CHRISTIAN    EDUCATION. 


"  Suffer  little  children,  and  forbid  them  not, 
to  come  unto  me ;  for  of  such  is  the  kingdom 
of  heayen.— Matt.  19,  14. 


READING : 

SAMUEL     HECHLER. 

1857. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1857,  by    . 

SAMUEL  HECHLER, 

in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States  for 
the  Eastern  District  of  Pennsylvania. 

Jt,  KNABB,  PRINTER,  READING,  PA, 


PREFACE. 


This  small  volume  was  prepared  at  the  re- 
quest of  a  kind  friend,  who,  being  engaged 
in  the  Book  trade,  has  frequently  been  asked 
for  a  work  of  this  kind.  It  is  well  known 
that,  in  some  places  where  Sabbath  Schools 
are  started,  no  one  feels  himself  competent  to 
open  and  close  the  school  with  prayer.  There 
may  be  various  reasons  to  account  for  this 
fact,  yet  it  should  never  be  a  sufficient  cause 
for  discontinuing  the  school,  or  for  conduct- 
ing the  exercises  without  prayer.  When  a 
suitable  collection  of  prayers  can  be  had,  it 
can  be  used.  It  is  true,  many  objections  to 
using  forms,  are  raised ;  and  equally  true  it 
is,  that  they  are  very  often  mis-used;  nor 
should  they  be  used  where  the  superintendent 
is  qualified  to  pray  extemporaneously,  except 
at  his  discretion.  But  it  must  always  be  pref- 
erable to  make  proper  use  of  forms,  to  mis- 
using or  abusing  extemporaneous  prayer  in 
any  one  of  the  many  ways  it  can  be,  and  of- 
ten is,  done, 


IV  PREFACE. 

In  regard  to  prayers  and  hymns  for  open- 
ing and  closing  public  or  week-day  schools, 
every  friend  of  a  sound  christian  education, 
it  appears  to  us,  must  sanction  their  use. 

Christianity,  as  the  absolute  religion,  in 
order  to  fulfil  its  mission,  must  penetrate, 
leaven-like,  every  department  of  humanity, 
and  must  work  it  up  into  its  own  nature.  By 
virtue  of  its  relation  to  Christianity  and  the 
church,  the  school  should  be  thoroughly  pen- 
etrated by  the  life  and  power  of  the  gospel, 
so  that  here  already,  our  holy  religion  might 
exert  its  powerful  influence  in  moulding  the 
character  of  the  young  and  in  giving  tone 
and  direction  to  their  minds.  This  can,  how- 
ever, not  be  accomplished,  unless  positive  re- 
ligious instruction,  in  some  form  or  other,  be 
introduced.  Against  this,  however,  the  char- 
acter and  habits  of  a  great  portion  of  the 
teachers  now  employed,  form  a  strong  barrier. 
Even  in  many  schools  where  the  Bible  is 
read,  according  to  law, — "  without  note  or 
comment," — there  the  voice  of   prayer  and 


PREFACE.  V 

praise  is  never  heard.  This  should  not  be 
the  case.  We  must  have  something  positive, 
to  answer  the  purpose  of  a  sound  christian 
education.  Great  efforts  are  now  made,  and 
great  activity  displayed,  to  spread  the  glori- 
ous light  of  the  gospel  throughout  the  whole 
world.  Missionaries  are  sent  into  heathen 
countries,  copies  of  the  Bible  by  millions  are 
published  and  distributed,  with  other  good 
books  in  proportion.  This  is  all  right  and 
good,  and  will  certainly  not  be  without  its 
blessed  results.  Yet  it  seems  to  be,  more  or 
less,  a  mere  growing  of  the  mustard  seed, 
without  a  corresponding  penetration  of  hu- 
manity, by  the  life  and  power  of  the  gospel. 
"We  need  more  than  an  external  spread  of 
Christianity.  It  must  take  hold  of  our  whole 
life  under  all  its  forms  and  activities,  and  in 
all  its  relations,  and  transform  it  into  its  own 
nature.  Our  individual,  social  and  political 
existence  must  be  raised  into  the  sphere  of 
religion.  To  do  this,  it  is  necessary  that  the 
whole  training  of  the  young  be  based  upon 


yi  PREFACE. 

religious  principles — it  must  be  a  training 
"  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord," 
— and  to  this  end  the  family,  the  week-day, 
and  the  sabbath  school,  must  labor  together. 
Therefore,  every  attempt,  however  humble, 
to  promote  the  good  cause  of  religious  train- 
ing, should  be  regarded  with  favor  by  all 
who  feel  a  proper  interest  for  the  welfare  of 
church  and  state  in  time  to  come.  This  small 
volume  is  intended  as  an  humble  contribution 
to  this  end.  May  it  be  looked  upon  with  in- 
dulgence by  those  who  love  the  good  cause. 

The  hymns  found  in  this  small  volume 
were  taken  from  the  following  collections  : 
"  Songs  for  the  Little  Ones  at  Home,"  by 
the  A.  T.  Society;  " Union  Hymn  Book," 
by  the  A.  S.  S.  Union,  and  a  few  from  the 
"  German  Reformed  Hymn  Book." 

This  little  book  is  sent  forth  with  a  sense 
of  its  many  imperfections,  but  with  the 
prayer  that  the  good  Lord  may  own  and  bless 
it  to  the  accomplishment  of  much  good,  and 
all  the  glory  shall  be  His. 


PART    FIRST 


PBAYEBS  FOE  SABBATH  SCHOOLS. 


PART  FIRST. 
PRAYERS  FOR  SABBATH  SCHOOLS. 


A   Prayer  for   the   Superintendent   before 
School. 

Adorable  God  and  Father :  I,  a  poor, 
sinful  worm  of  the  dust,  appear  before  thee, 
at  this  time,  in  the  all-prevailing  name  of  Je- 
sus Christ,  thy  Son,  my  blessed  Saviour  and 
Redeemer,  and  would  lift  up  unto  thee  my 
heart  and  voice  to  thank  thee  for  all  thy  good- 
ness, thy  loving  kindness  and  tender  mercies 
as  they  are  manifested  towards  me  from  day 
to  day.  I  thank  thee  for  life,  for  health  and 
strength  of  body  and  of  mind,  and  for  all  the 
blessings,  both  temporal  and  spiritual,  which 
thou,  in  thy  good  providence,  continually  be- 
stowest  upon  me.  Especially,  0  Lord,  would 
I  thank  thee,  that  thou  hast  "so  loved  the 
world  as  to  give  thine  only  begotten  Son, 
that  whosoever  believeth  in   him  might  not 


10  PRAYERS  FOR 

perish,  but  have  everlasting  life,"  and  that  he 
"abolished  death  and  brought  life  and  im- 
mortality to  light  through  the  gospel."  I  de- 
sire also  to  thank  thee  for  the  institution  of 
thy  holy  Sabbath  day ;  for  the  blessed  truths 
of  thy  Word ;  for  thy  Church  with  all  her  or- 
dinances, and  for  all  other  spiritual  favors 
and  blessings  bestowed  upon  the  children  of 
men. 

It  is  my  privilege,  0  Lord,  to  have  been 
spared  to  see  the  light  of  another  Lord's  day, 
and  to  enjoy,  as  I  humbly  trust,  its  blessed 
privileges  and  influences.  And  as  it  has 
pleased  thee,  most  gracious  Father,  to  call 
me  into  thy  service  and  to  place  me  at  the 
head  of  a  Sabbath  School,  I  would  also  thank 
thee  for  this  favor,  and,  at  the  same  time  be- 
seech thee,  in  the  name  of  Christ,  thy  Son, 
to  grant  me  grace  to  the  proper  discharge  of 
my  duties.  May  I  feel,  in  a  proper  manner, 
the  responsibility  that  is  thus  resting  upon 
«me.  Oh,  may  I  not  be  insensible  of  the  fact, 
that  in  the  capacity  of  Superintendent  of  this 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS.  11 

school,  I  have  immortal  souls  placed  under 
niy  care.  Lord,  help  me  to  realize  the  great 
importance  of  the  position  X  occupy,  so  that 
I  may  not  rely  upon  my  own  strength,  but 
may  come  unto  thee  for  wisdom  and  under- 
standing, in  order  to  enable  me  faithfully  to 
perform  the  duties  of  my  office.  May  I  this 
day  seek  to  honor  and  glorify  thy  great  and 
adorable  name  in  all  my  thoughts,  words  and 
deeds.  Help  me  to  manifest  the  spirit  of  my 
Master,  who  went  about  teaching  and  doing 
good  on  the  Sabbath  day,  so  that  I  also  may 
teach,  both  by  precept  and  by  example. — 
Grant  unto  me  grace  to  be  kind  and  affec- 
tionate towards  teachers  and  scholars.  Help 
me  to  remember  that  I  should  be  an  humble 
instrument  in  thy  hand,  to  poiot  them  to 
Christ,  the  Lamb  of  God  which  taketh  away 
the  sins  of  the  world.  Preserve  me,  gracious 
Father,  from  everything  which  might  give  of- 
fence to  the  least  of  the  children  that  may 
this  day  appear  in  our  school ;  and  may  I  be- 
come unto  all,  both  teachers  and  scholars,  an 


12  PRAYERS  FOR 

example  of  true  humility,  unaffected  piety, 
pure  love,  and  a  cheerful  heavenly-minded- 
ness,  that  they  may  be  encouraged  to  go  on- 
ward in  the  heavenly  way  and  to  enter  at  the 
straight  gate  into  everlasting  life. 

Bless  this  day,  0  Lord,  the  preaching  of 
thy  word,  wherever  it  may  be  proclaimed,  to 
the  conversion  of  sinners  from  the  errors  of 
their  ways,  unto  thee,  the  living  and  the  true 
God.  Prosper  the  labors  of  thy  faithful  ser- 
vants everywhere ;  build  up  thy  people  in 
their  most  holy  faith;  establish  thy  church 
throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  the 
whole  earth,  in  order  that  Christ  may  rule 
king  of  nations  as  he  now  ruleth  king  of 
saints  above.  Send  forth  laborers  into  thy 
harvest  field,  for  truly  the  harvest  is  great, 
but  the  laborers  are  few.  Prosper  to  this  end 
all  such  institutions  as  have  for  their  object 
the  spread  of  the  gospel,  the  up-building  of 
the  Redeemer's  kingdom,  and  in  these  the 
salvation  of  souls  and  the  honor  and  glory 
of  thy  name. 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS.  13 

And  now,  Lord,  I  beseech  thee  to  look 
upon  me  in  much  mercy  ;  graciously  pardon 
all  my  shortcomings  and  sins,  and  assist  me 
by  thy  good  and  holy  Spirit  to  discharge  my 
duties  in  a  manner  acceptable  unto  thee  and 
profitable  unto  myself  and  unto  those  placed 
under  my  care.  When  we  meet  as  a  Sabbath 
School,  be  with  us  and  bless  us,  and  finally 
save  us  through,  and  for  the  sake  of,  Christ 
our  Redeemer — Amen. 


Prayer  for  Sabbath  School  Teachers  before 
School. 

Blessed  God,  my  Heavenly  Father : — I 
thank  thee,  in  the  name  of  Christ,  thy  Son, 
for  the  light  of  this  thine  own  day,  and  for 
all  the  blessings  it  brings  with  itself.  I  thank 
thee  for  thy  precious  Word  as  it  is  revealed 
unto  the  children  of  men  and  as  I  have  it  in 
mine  own  hands.  In  it  thou  hast  declared 
unto  all  thy  most  holy  will.  It  is  my  great 
privilege  to  read  and  hear  thy  Word,  in  order 


14  PRAYERS  FOR 

that  it  may  make  me  wise  unto  salvation.  It 
contains  treasures  of  wisdom,  far  exceeding 
in  value  all  that  the  world  can  offer,  and  from 
it  I  may  continually  draw  such  precious  truths 
as  I  may  from  time  to  time  stand  in  need  of? 
I  desire  to  thank  thee,  blessed  Father,  for  all 
these  privileges,  and  pray  thee,  at  the  same 
time,  in  the  name  of  Christ,  to  grant  me 
grace  at  all  times  to  study  thy  Word  atten- 
tively and  prayerfully,  always  remembering 
in  it  thou  thyself  art  speaking  unto  me,  that  so 
that  I  may  derive  that  instruction,  that  wis- 
dom and  comfort  from  it,  which,  in  thy  wise 
providence,  it  was  ordained  to  impart.  And, 
0  Lord,  grant  that  I  may  not  read  it,  prompted 
by  improper  motives,  but  may  at  all  times 
seek'  to  promote  thereby  thy  glory  and  the 
good  of  immortal  souls. 

And  now,  0  Lord,  as  it  has  pleased  thee 
to  open  up  unto  me  a  sphere  of  usefulness,  in 
placing  me  into  the  capacity  of  a  Sabbath 
School  teacher,  grant,  I  beseech  thee,  that  I 
may  this  day  teach  those  that  may  be  placed 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS.  15 

tinder  my  care,  in  thy  fear  and  with  a  wise 
reference  to  thy  most  holy  will.  Assist  me 
in  my  weakness  and  enable  me  to  lay  the 
words  of  sacred  truth,  as  found  in  thy  Holy 
Word,  to  the  hearts  of  these  children,  in  or- 
der that  they  may  make  them  wise  in  the  wis- 
dom from  on  high.  Open,  0  Lord,  their  ten- 
der hearts,  that  the  heavenly  seed  may  be 
sown  into  them,  may  spring  up  and  produce 
much  fruit.  Bless  all  who  may  this  day  as- 
semble in  this  place.  Be  with  him  who  pre- 
sides over  the  school,  and  grant  him  wisdom 
from  on  high  to  the  proper  discharge  of  all 
his  duties.  Enable  those  who  teach  to  do  it 
in  thy  fear,  and  may  they  not  teach  others 
and  become  cast-aways  themselves.  Bless 
the  parents  of  the  children  that  meet  here  to 
be  instructed,  and  enable  them  to  bring  up 
those  whom  thou  hast  given  them,  in  the  nur- 
ture and  admonition  of  the  Lord.  Prosper 
this  day  the  labors  of  our  hands  ;  glorify  thy- 
self in  our  midst ;  send  thy  good  spirit  from 
above,  and  may  He  take  up  his  abode  in  our 


16  PRATERS  FOR 

hearts  and  constitute  us  temples  of  the  living 
God ;  and  to  thee,  the  Father,  the  Son,  and 
the  Holy  Ghost,  be  all  honor,  praise  and 
glory,  in  a  world  without  end.     Amen, 


Prayers  for  Opening  the  School, 
I. 
Merciful  Father  in  Heaven  :  As  it  has 
pleased  thee  to  spare  our  unprofitable  lives 
and  to  preserve  our  health,  we  would  now,  in 
the  name  of  Christ  thy  Son,  our  Saviour, 
unite  in  thanking  thee  for  thy  infinite  good- 
ness in  thus  watching  over  and  protecting  us. 
And,  as  we  have  been  permitted  to  behold 
the  light  of  this  another  Lord's  day,  and  to 
assemble  ourselves  together  as  a  Sabbath 
School,  we  would  also  most  humbly  thank 
thee  for  these  blessed  privileges.  Blessed  be 
thy  name  that  thou  hast  manifested  thyself 
unto  us  as  a  God  of  Love.  We  have  thy 
Word  in  our  hands ;  we  can  go  up  into  thy 
house  and  worship  thee  without  being  mo- 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS.  17 

lested,  and  even  here,  as  a  Sabbath  School, 
we  are  favored  with  the  blessed  privileges  of 
singing  thy  praises,  reading  thy  Word  and 
calling  on  thee  in  prayer.  "We  would  humbly 
confess  our  utter  unworthiness  of  the  least  of 
these  favors  and  blessings.  We  deserve  much 
more  thy  displeasure  on  account  of  our  many 
failings  and  sins.  But,  our  Father,  we  ven- 
ture to  come  unto  thee  in  the  name  of  thy 
Son,  our  faithful  Saviour,  Redeemer,  and  In- 
tercessor, and  in  his  name  we  beseech  thee  to 
have  mercy  upon  us.  Have  mercy  upon  us, 
0  Lord,  according  to  thy  loving  kindness ; — 
according  to  the  multitude  of  thy  tender  mer- 
cies, blot  out  our  transgressions.  Wash  us 
thoroughly  in  the  precious  blood  of  Christ 
and  cleanse  us  from  all  uncleanness.  Send 
down  thy  good  Spirit  into  our  hearts,  that  he 
may  create  us  anew  and  may  make  us  thy 
children  in  truth  and  in  deed.  We  ask  thee, 
blessed  Father,  to  look  down  upon  us  at  this 
time  in  tender  love  and  compassion.  Assist 
us  by  thy  grace  and  the  power  of  thy  Spirit 

A-2 


18  PRAYERS  FOR 

to  spend  this  hour  profitably  in  thy  service. 
Help  each  and  every  one  of  us  in  the  proper 
discharge  of  our  several  duties,  so  that  all 
we  do  may  be  done  for  thy  honor  and  glory 
and  the  best  interests  of  immortal  souls. — 
Bless  officers,  teachers  and  children,  accord- 
ing to  their  several  wants.  Enable  those  who 
teach  to  feel  the  power  of  thy  truth  in  their 
own  hearts,  that  they  may  teach  in  a  proper 
and  profitable  manner.  Open  the  hearts  of 
the  children  for  the  reception  of  thy  truth. — 
May  it  fall  into  good  soil,  spring  up  and  pro- 
duce fruit  a  hundred  fold  to  the  honor  and 
glory  of  thy  great  and  excellent  name. 

We  would  also  beseech  thee  in  behalf  of 
ail  others  who  may  this  day  meet  for  the  pur- 
pose of  worshiping  thee.  Be  thou  with  them 
and  bless  them — and  may  this  day  many  be 
brought  unto  Christ,  the  Lamb  of  God,  that 
their  sins  may  be  taken  away.  Make  sinners 
see  and  feel  their  misery  and  wretchedness, 
so  that  they  may  hasten  unto  Christ,  who  is 
the  Way  and  the  Truth  and  the  Life,  and  may 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS.  19 

thus  come  unto  thee,  the  Father.  Lord,  hear, 
and  answer  and  bless,  and  at  last,  save  us  one 
and  all  into  thy  kingdom,  through  riches  of 
grace  in  Christ  our  Redeemer,     Amen. 


II. 

0,  Lord,  most  merciful  and  most  gracious : 
We  poor  sinners  appear  before  thee  at  this 
time,  to  thank  thee  for  the  preservation  of  our 
lives  and  health  during  the  past  week  and  tho 
past  night.  We  are  indeed  living  monuments 
of  thy  long  suffering  and  patience,  thy  loving 
kindness  and  tender  mercy.  Of  a  truth,  thou 
hast  no  pleasure  in  the  death  of  sinners,  for 
such  we  are,  and  if  thou  hadst  dealt  with  us 
according  to  our  deserts,  thou  wouldst  long 
ago  have  cut  us  off  and  cast  us  away  from  thy 
presence  forever.  But  blessed  be  thy  name 
that  thou  art  a  God  of  love  and  compassion, 
and  that  thou  didst  send  thy  Son  into  the 
world  to  be  our  Saviour  and  Redeemer,  that 
so  we  may  find  life  in  Him  who  is  the  resur- 
rection and  the  life. 


20  PRAYERS  FOR 

And  now,  our  Heavenly  Father,  we  would 
humbly  confess  our  sins  before  thee  and  ask 
thee  graciously  to  pardon  us  for  the  sake  of 
Jesus  Christ,  our  Redeemer.  Thou  knowest, 
0  Lord,  how  oft  we  fail  and  how  manifold 
and  grievous  our  sins  are.  Oh  !  help  us  to 
repent  of  them ;  to  humble  ourselves  before 
thee  into  the  very  dust,  so  that  we  may  be 
truly  sorrowful  on  account  of  them.  Wash 
us  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb  and  cleanse  us 
from  all  uncleanness. 

Send  down  thy  good  Spirit  from  above  that 
he  may  teach  us  what  we  are  and  what  we 
need,  and  by  his  power  create  us  anew  that 
we  may  be  made  new  creatures  in  Christ,  thy 
children,  having  the  spirit  of  adoption  in  our 
hearts,  whereby  we  may  approach  and  call 
thee  Father. 

And  now,  0  Lord,  as  we  have  again  met  as 
a  Sabbath  School  on  this  thine  own  holy  day, 
we  would  also  thank  thee  for  this  blessed  priv- 
ilege. We  pray  thee,  also,  to  help  us  prop- 
erly to  realize  the  blessings  it  confers  upon  us, 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS.  21 

and  to  feel  truly  grateful  towards  thee  for  the 
enjoyment  of  this  favor.  And  oh !  may  it 
not  be  in  vain  for  us  to  have  met  together  in 
this  place  to-day.  May  we  not  fail  to  derive 
that  benefit  from  it  which  it  is  calculated  to 
impart  unto  those  who  are  willing  to  receive 
it.  We  beseech  thee,  our  Father,  to  solem- 
nize our  hearts  and  to  make  us  feel  that  we 
are  now  in  thy  presence.  Help  us  to  read 
and  study  thy  Word  as  the  Word  of  the  Most 
High.  Oh !  that  it  may  not  become  unto 
us  a  savor  of  death  unto  death,  but  that  it 
may  truly  be  unto  our  souls  a  savor  of  life 
unto  life,  as  it  is  intended  to  be.  To  this 
end,  0  Lord,  give  us  thy  good  Spirit,  that 
he  may  make  thy  Word  plain  unto  us— may 
apply  it  unto  our  hearts,  so  that  it  may  not 
return  unto  thee  void,  but  may  accomplish 
that  for  which  thou  hast  sent  it. 

We  also  pray  for  all  other  Sabbath  Schools 
throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  the 
whole  earth.  Bless,  we  beseech  thee,  all  of- 
ficers, teachers   and   scholars,  according   to 


22  PRAYERS  FOR 

their  several  wants.  Bless  the  pastors  and 
people  of  all  congregations  wherever  they 
may  meet  this  day  to  worship  thee.  Hasten 
the  coming  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom,  that 
soon  all  tribes  and  tongues  may  acknowledge 
Him  as  their  true  and  only  King,  and  may 
obey,  worship  and  adore  Him  as  such. 

And  now,  Lord,  hear  and  bless  us ;  glo- 
rify thyself  in  our  midst  through  Jesus  Christ, 
thy  Son,  our  Saviour  and  Redeemer.    Amen 


-       III. 

Gracious  God  and  Father:  We,  the 
creatures  of  thy  hand,  would  approach  thy 
mercy  seat  on  this  morning  of  thine  own  day, 
in  the  name  of  Jesus,  thine  only  begotten  and 
much-beloved  Son,  our  Saviour  and  Redeemer. 
Thou  hast  been  round  and  about  us  during 
the  night  that  is  past,  and  hast  graciously 
watched  over  us  and  delivered  us  from  all 
harm  and  danger.  We  now  stand  before  thee 
as  monuments  of  thy  goodness,  thy  loving 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS.  23 

kindness  and  tender  mercies.  All  that  we 
have  and  are  is  from  thee.  Our  lives,  our 
health,  and  all  the  comforts  we  enjoy,  are  so 
many  blessings-  which  come  from  thee,  the 
"Father  of  Lights,  from  whom  comes  down 
every  good  and  perfect  gift."  Accept  then, 
we  pray  thee,  our  feeble  thanks  for  all  the 
favors  and  blessings  we  receive  from  thee,  and 
hear  our  humble  prayers  at  this  time. 

Thou  art  a  good  God,  full  of  love  and  ten- 
der compassion,  but  we  are  poor,  sinful  crea- 
tures. We  have  so  often  been  wicked  and 
have  sinned  against  thee  in  our  thoughts, 
words  and  deeds,  that  we  richly  deserve  thy 
great  displeasure.  But  thou  art  a  merciful 
Father,  and  those  who  come  unto  thee  thou 
wilt  not  cast  off.  We  pray  thee,  therefore,  in 
the  name  of  thy  Son,  to  enable  us  to  feel 
truly  sorrowful  on  account  of  our  sins,  and  to 
turn  unto  thee  with  all  our  hearts,  so  that  we 
may  forsake  our  evil  ways  and  may  walk  in 
the  way  in  which  thou  hast  directed  us  to  go. 
Pardon,  we  pray  thee,  all  our  sins  and  short- 


24  PRAYERS  FOR 

comings ;  blot  out  our  iniquities ;  heal  our 
backslidings  and  restore  us  unto  thy  gracious 
favor  for  the  sake  of  Christ,  our  blessed  Sa- 
viour and  Redeemer.  Help  us,  Lord,  to  flee 
sin  and  all  evil  and  to  seek  that  which  is  good 
and  right  in  thy  sight.  Help  us  to  feel  our 
own  weakness,  so  that  we  may  no  more  trust 
in  our  own  strength,  but  may  seek  all  our 
help  in  thee.  Help  us  continually  to  repent 
of  our  sins,  to  flee  unto  Christ,  our  Saviour, 
and  to  embrace  him  by  a  living  faith.  Help 
us  to  watch  and  pray  that  we  may  not  enter 
into  temptation.  May  we  watch  over  our 
thoughts  and  desires,  over  our  words  and  ac- 
tions ;  may  we  walk  in  the  narrow  way  which 
leacleth  unto  life  everlasting. 

Be  thou  also  with  us  this  day  whilst  we  are 
assembled  as  a  Sabbath  School.  Make  us 
serious  and  attentive.  Help  us  that  we  all 
may  seek  to  know,  to  love  and  to  serve  thee. 
Thou  hast  graciously  given  us  thy  Word,  out 
of  which  we  learn  our  duty  towards  thee  and 
our  fellow  men.     Grant  now,  0  Father,  that 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS.  25 

we  may  read  and  study  it  as  the  Word  of 
truth  and  of  life.  May  we  lend  a  listening 
ear  when  it  is  read  and  expounded  ;  may  we 
open  our  hearts  and  receive  thy  holy  truths 
into  them,  in  order  to  become  wise  in  spirit- 
ual things  and  meet  for  an  everlasting  inher- 
itance in  heaven  above. 

Do  thou  also  hasten  the  day  in  which  Christ 
shall  be  acknowledged  as  the  Saviour  of  sin- 
ners throughout  the  whole  earth,  when  the 
Jews  and  the  Gentiles  may  come  and  worship 
at  His  feet. 

We  now  commit  ourselves  into  thy  care  ; 
be  with  us,  Lord,  during  this  hour ;  bless  our 
waiting  souls,  and  may  we  be  able  to  rejoice 
in  thee,  our  Lord  and  our  God,  here  upon 
earth,  and  finally  in  heaven  above  for  ever- 
more, through  Christ  our  Redeemer.     Amen. 


IV. 

Kind  and  Indulgent  Father  !     We  would 
humbly  draw  nigh  unto  thee  this  morning,  in 


26  PRAYERS  FOR 

the  name  of  thy  beloved  Son  Jesus,  our  Sa- 
viour and  Redeemer.  And  in  thus  coming 
before  thee,  at  this  time,  we  desire  to  thank 
thee  for  all  the  mercies,  the  favors  and  the 
blessings,  which  thou,  in  thy  good  providence, 
hast  bestowed  upon  us  in  days  that  are  past 
and  gone.  Thou  hasfc  greatly  favored  us 
above  many  of  our  fellow  creatures  and  hast 
blessed  us  in  body  and  in  soul  above  every- 
thing we  could  ask.  Oh !  our  Father,  help 
us  then  to  be  truly  grateful  towards  thee  for 
this  thy  love  towards  us,  so  that  we  may  be 
brought  to  love  thee  in  return  and  may  serve 
thee  all  the  days  of  our  earthly  existence. 

May  we,  as  a  Sabbath  School,  be  able  to 
feel  how  highly  thou  hast  favored  us  in  this 
respect.  May  we  be  able  to  improve  these 
great  blessings  to  the  good  of  our  own  souls 
and  the  honor  and  glory  of  thy  adorable 
name.  Enable  us,  0  Lord,  to  seek  first  thy 
kingdom  and  thy  righteousness,  knowing  that 
if  we  possess  these,  all  other  things  shall  be 
added  unto  us.     Forbid  that  we  should  cling 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS.  27 

too  fondly  to  the  things  of  time  and  sense, 
and  so  forget  those  better  treasures  which  we 
should  lay  up  for  ourselves  in  heaven  above. 

And  now,  Lord,  as  we  have  met  at  this 
time  as  a  Sabbath  School,  we  would  beseech 
thee  to  be  present  with  us.  We  know  that 
without  thee  we  can  do  nothing.  Therefore, 
0  Lord,  help  us  in  teaching  and  in  learning. 
Send  down  thy  good  Spirit  and  let  him  teach 
us.  May  he,  the  Spirit  of  truth,  lead  us  into 
all  truth.  May  he  open  the  eyes  of  our  un- 
derstanding that  we  may  see  wondrous  things 
out  of  thy  law.  May  thy  Word  be  more  pre- 
cious to  us  than  gold,  yea,  than  much  fine 
gold ;  sweeter  also  than  honey  and  the  honey- 
comb. May  it  make  us  wise  unto  salvation, 
that  we  may  walk  in  the  paths  of  righteous- 
ness, in  which  thou  dost  lead  those  who  give 
their  hearts  to  thee. 

Bless,  our  Heavenly  Father,  all  other  Sab- 
bath Schools  throughout  the  whole  world. — 
May  they  become  nurseries  in  which  the 
young  may  be  trained  for  thy  church  and  for 


28  PRAYERS  FOR 

heaven.  0  Lord,  prosper  the  efforts  which 
are  put  forth  by  thy  church  to  bring  sinners 
in  repentance  and  faith  unto  Christ,  the  Sa- 
viour of  sinners.  Open  the  gates  of  cities  and 
empires  unto  the  heralds  of  the  cross,  that 
the  glad  tidings  of  great  joy  may  be  pro- 
claimed in  all  the  ends  of  the  earth.  Hasten 
the  coming  of  thy  kingdom,  when  thy  will 
shall  be  done  upon  earth  even  as  it  is  done  in 
heaven. 

Pour  out  thy  Spirit  upon  those  who  stand 
upon  the  walls  of  Zion  and  preach  unto  us 
the  gospel  of  peace,  so  that  they  may  be 
strengthened  and  encouraged  from  on  high, 
to  go  on  in  their  labor  of  love.  And  may 
those  who  sit  under  the  sound  of  their  voices, 
open  their  hearts  and  receive  the  blessed 
truths  which  they  proclaim,  in  order  that  the 
preaching  of  the  gospel  may  not  be  in  vain. 

Blessed  Saviour,  as  thou  hast  promised  to 
be  with  thy  people  when  they  are  assembled 
in  thy  name,  therefore  we  beseech  thee  to  be 
with  us  at  this  time.     "  Suffer  little  children 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS.  29 

to  come  unto  me,"  are  the  words  which  in- 
vite us  to  come.  Bless  now,  0  Lord,  our 
waiting  souls ;  fill  our  hearts  with  joy  and 
peace  and  enable  us  to  rejoice  in  thee  always. 
Take  us  now  into  thy  care  and  keeping ; 
abide  with  us ;  guide  and  lead  us  by  thy 
Spirit,  and  save  us  at  last  into  thy  kingdom, 
and  all  glory  shall  be  thine  for  evermore. — 
Amen, 


Prayers  for  Closing  the  School. 

I. 

Adorable  God  and  Father :  At  the  close 
of  this  hour  we  would  unite  our  hearts  and 
voices  in  bringing  thee  thanksgivings  and 
praises  for  thy  goodness  towards  us.  We 
thank  thee  for  the  opportunity  which  was  this 
day  afforded  us,  to  meet  together  for  the  pur- 
pose of  reading  and  studying  thy  holy  Word. 
Add  now,  we  pray  thee,  thy  richest  blessing 
unto  our  labors  of  this  day,  for  without  this 
all  our  efforts  will  be  fruitless. 


30  PRAYERS  FOR 

Help  us  to  feel,  blessed  Father,  how  highly 
thou  hast  favored  us  in  thus  giving  us  time, 
place  and  opportunity  of  singing  thy  praises, 
calling  upon  thy  name  and  studying  the  Word 
of  truth  and  of  life.  Help  us  duly  to  lay  to 
heart  the  great  fact  of  Christ's  coming  into 
the  world ;  of  his  suffering  and  dying  for  us 
poor,  sinful  worms  of  the  dust,  that  thus  our 
hard  and  stubborn  hearts  may  be  melted  and 
subdued.  Grant  us  grace  to  repent  of  all 
our  misdoings  and  sins  and  to  turn  unto  Je- 
sus with  all  our  hearts,  in  order  to  love  and 
serve  him  all  the  days  of  our  life.  Help  us, 
blessed  Saviour,  to  feel  that  we  are  poor  sin- 
ners and  that  we  have  need  of  thee  in  order 
that  our  souls  may  be  saved.  Help  us  to 
come  unto  thee,  thou  Lamb  of  God,  that  our 
sins  may  be  taken  away,  that  we  may  be 
clothed  in  thy  righteousness  and  may  thus 
stand  before  the  Lord  God  by  thy  merits  and 
atonement. 

Send  thy  good  and  holy  Spirit  into  our 
hearts  that  he  may  create  us  anew  and  make 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS.  31 

us  true  and  living  branches  of  thee,  the  true 
and  living  vine,  that  so,  by  the  power  of  thy 
life  and  Spirit  dwelling  in  us  and  uniting  us 
unto  thee,  we  may  bring  forth  much  fruit,  for 
without  thee  we  can  do  nothing  ;  and  thus 
may  our  Heavenly  Father  be  glorified  and  we 
be  thy  disciples. 

Assist  us,  Lord,  to  look  away  from  the  vain 
and  perishable  things  of  time  and  sense,  and 
to  set  our  affections  on  the  realities  of  the 
world  to  come.  May  we  live  by  faith  and 
not  by  sight,  May  the  powers  of  the  hea- 
venly world  lay  hold  upon  our  hearts  and 
draw  them  away  from  the  earth,  so  that  we 
may  daily  commune  with  the  bright  and  glo- 
rious realities  of  a  better  and  happier  world. 
Help  us  to  be  wise ;  to  keep  ourselves  un- 
spotted from  the  world ;  to  live  for  higher, 
for  nobler  ends  than  those  are  which  we  can 
see  with  our  eyes  and  touch  with  our  hands. 
Create  within  us  clean  hearts,  and  renew  us 
into  the  image  of  our  adorable  Lord,  Saviour 
and  Redeemer.     And  may  we  thus  go  onward 


32  PRAYERS  FOR 

in  the  journey  of  life,  looking  towards  hea- 
ven, our  better  home,  and  waiting  for  the 
coming  of  our  Lord.  And  when  he  does 
come,  may  he  not  find  us  asleep,  but  watch- 
ing ;  ready  to  enter  with  him  into  glory. 

And  now,  Lord,  bless  with  us  all  others 
who  call  on  thee  ;  have  mercy  upon  all  sin- 
ners ;  guide  and  direct  us  by  thy  Spirit 
throughout  the  whole  journey  of  life,  and  in 
death  own  and  save  us  for  our  Redeemer's 
sake,  who  has  taught  us  to  pray  :  "  Our  Fa- 
ther who  art  in  heaven,  &c.     Amen," 


II. 

0  Lord,  most  merciful  and  most  gracious : 
In  thy  good  providence  we  have  been  per- 
mitted to  spend  another  hour  in  thy  presence 
as  a  Sabbath  School.  And  now  as  we  are 
about  to  depart  from  this  place,  we  desire 
once  more  to  lift  up  unto  thee  our  hands  and 
our  hearts  in  prayer  and  praise,  and  to  thank 
thee  for  the  privileges  which  we  enjoyed  at 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS.  33 

this  time.  Truly,  it  is  a  blessed  tiling  to  wait 
upon  thee  and  to  seek  a  blessing  from  thee. 
Grant  now,  0  Lord,  that  we  may  feel  the 
greatness  of  thy  blessings  as  we  enjoy  them, 
and  may  we  be  brought  to  love  thee  and  to 
give  ourselves  over  to  thy  service.  Seal  upon 
our  hearts  the  blessed  truths  we  have  been 
considering  at  this  time,  so  that  they  may 
bring  forth  within  us,  the  fruits  of  true  re- 
pentance for  all  our  sins  and  a  living  faith  in 
Christ,  our  Saviour,  unto  thy  honor  and  glory 
and  the  salvation  of  our  souls.  Help  us  to 
feel  our  own  weakness  so  that  we  may  not 
trust  in  ourselves,  but  may  rely  wholly  and 
entirely  upon  thy  grace  in  all  that  may  come 
to  pass  in  time  to  come.  We  live  in  a  world 
of  sin,  with  depraved  and  deceitful  hearts  in 
our  bosoms  and  the  law  of  sin  in  our  mem- 
bers ;  we  are  surrounded  by  temptations  to 
evil,  and  have  of  ourselves  no  power  to  over- 
come them.  We  ask  thee,  therefore,  gra- 
ciously to  send  thy  good  Spirit  into  our 
hearts,  that  he  may  teach  us  how  to  live,  and 

B-l. 


84  PRAYERS  FOR 

may  give  us  grace  to  overcome  all  the  ene- 
mies of  our  souls,  in  order  that  we  may  come 
off  as  conquerors  and  more  than  conquerors, 
through  Christ,  who  loved  us  and  gave  him- 
self for  us.  Create  in  us  a  true  and  living 
faith  by  which  we  may  be  enabled  to  see  spir- 
itual things  present- — to  feel  their  reality  and 
enjoy  their  communion.  May  we  seek  to  be- 
come more  and  more  conformed  to  thy  holy 
will,  in  order  that  we  may  at  all  times  be  able 
to  say — "  Father,  not  my,  but  thy  will  be 
done."  Help  us  to  live  in  constant  prospect 
of  death?  so  that  when  our  last  hour  will  draw 
nigh  we  may  be  found  watching  like  faithful 
servants ;  may  have  our  lamps  burning  like 
the  wise  virgins,  and  may  be  prepared  to  en- 
ter into  the  joy  of  our  Lord.  To  this  end 
may  the  Holy  Spirit,  the  Comforter,  abide 
with  us.  May  he  take  of  the  things  of  Je- 
sus and  show  them  unto  us,  and  make  us  thy 
children  in  deed  and  in  truth,  so  as  to  enable 
us  to  call  thee  "  Abba  Father." 

And  now,  0  Lord,  we  would  also  bring 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS.  35 

before  thee  the  interests  of  all  other  Sabbath 
Schools  wherever  found.  Pour  out  thy  rich 
blessings  and  the  influences  of  thy  Spirit 
upon  them.  Establish  them  where  they  are 
not  found,  and  make  them  the.  instrument  for 
doing  much  good.  Bless  each  and  every  one 
that  is  engaged  in  the  good  work,  and  raise 
up  many  more  who  may  lend  a  helping  hand 
in  bringing  the  young  to  a  knowledge  of  thee, 
the  only  true  and  living  God. 

Pour  out  thy  Spirit  in  rich  abundance  upon 
thy  church.  Prosper  the  preaching  of  thy 
gospel  everywhere,  and  raise  up  many  who 
will  say,  "Lord,  here  am  I;  send  me." 

Hear  us  now,  0  Lord ;  forgive  all  our  sins  ; 
dismiss  us  with  thy  blessing;  go  with  us 
through  life,  and  in  death  save  us  through 
riches  of  grace  in  Christ,  in  whose  name  we 
yet  pray : — "  Our  Father,"  &c. — Amen. 

III. 

Merciful  Father,  who  hast  reconciled  the 
world  to  thyself  in  Christ,— at  the  close  of 


36  PRAYERS  FOR 

this  hour  we  desire  once  more  to  come  before 
thee  in  our  prayers.  Enable  us  to  approach 
thee  in  a  proper  and  acceptable  manner,  to 
worship  thee,  who  art  a  Spirit,  in  spirit  and 
in  truth,  so  that  our  souls  may  now  have  sweet 
communion  with  thee  through  Christ,  our  Sa- 
viour. Accept  our  thanks  for  the  gracious 
favor  of  meeting  together  as  a  Sabbath 
School,  which  we  have  this  day  enjoyed. — 
Help  us  duly  to  value  and  appreciate  this 
blessing  and  to  profit  greatly  by  its  privi- 
leges. May  we  feel  deeply  thankful  towards 
thee  for  these  and  all  other  favors  and  bless- 
ings which  we  from  day  to  day  enjoy  ;  espe- 
cially for  the  gift  of  thine  own  dear  Son,  in 
whose  name  and  merits  we  can  at  all  times 
approach  thy  mercy-seat  and  call  thee  Fa- 
ther. 

And  now,  our  Heavenly  Father,  we  be- 
seech thee  in  much  mercy  to  bestow  thy  rich 
blessing  upon  the  labors  in  which  we  have 
this  hour  been  engaged,  so  far  as  they  may 
be  in  conformity  with  thy  holy  and  righteous 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS.  37 

will.  May  the  good  seed  of  thy  Word  have 
found  a  good  soil  in  which  it  may  spring  up 
and  produce  fruit  a  hundred  fold  to  life  ever- 
lasting. May  we  all  feel  the  power  of  thy 
truth  in  our  hearts,  convincing  us  of  sin  and 
pointing  us  to  Jesus,  the  Saviour  of  sinners. 
May  thy  Holy  Spirit  seal  it  upon  our  hearts 
and  apply  it  to  our  consciences,  that  it  may 
"  not  return  unto  thee  void,  but  may  accom- 
plish that  for  which  thou  hast  sent  it." 

And  now,  0  Lord,  we  would  also  remem- 
ber in  our  prayers  those  who  enjoy  not  the 
privileges  which  we  enjoy ;  those  children 
who  cannot  meet  together  for  the  purpose  of 
singing  thy  praises,  calling  upon  thy  name, 
and  studying  thy  Word ;  those  who  yet  dwell 
in  heathen  darkness  and  never  hear  the  sweet 
name  of  Jesus.  Oh  !  have  thou  mercy  upon 
them  and  speedily  send  unto  them  the  light 
of  thy  gospel.  Raise  up  many  laborers  to 
go  forth  and  labor  in  thy  harvest-field,  in  or- 
der that  many  precious  souls  may  be  saved, 
for,  truly,  "the  harvest  is  plenteous  but  the* 


38  PRAYERS  FOR 

laborers  are  few."  Lord,  make  us  all  willing 
to  pray  and  to  labor  for  the  conversion  of  the 
world.  May  we  all  regard  ourselves  as  thy 
servants,  who  should  labor  in  thy  cause.  If 
any  of  us  should  be  fitted  for  becoming  her- 
alds of  the  cross,  then,  Lord,  point  such  out 
that  in  early  life  already  they  may  be  dedi- 
cated to  thy  most  holy  service.  Prosper  all 
enterprises  which  have  for  their  object  the 
conversion  of  sinners.  May  thy  church  "arise 
and  shine,  her  light  having  come  and  the 
glory  of  the  Lord  having  risen  upon  her;" 
may  she  become  the  refuge  of  many  souls — 
the  spiritual  ark  into  which  sinners  may  "flee 
from  the  wrath  to  come."  Lord,  dismiss  us 
now  with  thy  blessing ;  accompany  us  in  all 
our  ways  and  graciously  preserve  us  from  all 
evil ;  bless  the  families  to  which  we  respect- 
ively belong,  and  may  peace  and  good  will 
dwell  upon  the  face  of  the  whole  earth  and 
all  sinners  receive  Christ  as  their  Saviour. — 
Hear  us,  Lord ;  pardon  all  our  sins ;  guide 
us  evermore  by  thy  good  Spirit,  and  save  us 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS.  39 

at  last  through  riches  of  grace  in  Christ,  our 
Saviour  and  Redeemer,  who  has  taught  us  to 
pray: — "  Our  Father,"  &c. — Amen. 


IV. 

Our  Father,  whkh  art  in  Heaven :  We 
appear  before  thee  at  the  close  of  our  exer- 
cises, in  the  name  of  thy  Son,  our  Saviour^ 
and  thank  thee  that  it  has  pleased  thee  to 
permit  us  to  assemble  ourselves  together  as  a 
Sabbath  School  at  this  time.  We  would  bless 
thee  for  thy  precious  Word,  by  which  we  are 
made  wise  unto  salvation.  Oh !  may  it  be 
in  truth,  "  a  lamp  unto  our  feet  and  a  light 
upon  our  path ;  may  it  be  sweet  unto  our 
taste,  yea,  sweeter  than  honey  or  the  honey- 
comb and  more  precious  than  gold  :  yea,  than 
much  fine  gGld<,"  May  we  become  wiser  and 
better ;  less  worldly  and  more  heavenly- 
minded  from  day  to  day ;  may  we  love  thee 
more  and  serve  thee  better  as  we  go  forward 
in.  our  journey  towards  the  heavenly  Jerusa- 


40  PRAYERS   FOR 

lem.  0  Lord,  turn  our  feet  from  the  way  of 
error  and  sin,  from  the  broad  way  that  leads 
to  destruction,  and  set  them  into  the  narrow 
way  that  leads  unto  life  everlasting.  Grant 
that  the  realities  of  the  future  world  may  be 
continually  present  to  our  minds,  so  that  they 
may  solemnly  impress  us  and  may  create 
within  us  a  longing  desire  after  their  full  en- 
joyment. Help  us  to  feel  that  we  are  pil- 
grims and  strangers  upon  earth — that  this  is 
not  our  home,  but  that  a  better,  even  a  hea- 
venly home,  awaits  us  if  we  be  faithful. — 
May  we  lift  up  our  heads  and  look  for  the 
coming  of  our  Redeemer;  and  may  we  be 
watchful  and  live  as  those  who  wait  for  the 
coming  of  their  Lord  and  Master. 

0  thou  good  Shepherd  of  thy  sheep,  who 
didst  lay  down  thy  life  for  us,  we  beseech 
thee  to  be  with  us  at  all  times  and  to  enable 
us  to  live  in  close  communion  with  thee. — 
Thou  art  our  great  High  Priest  and  Inter- 
cessor at  the  right  hand  of  the  Father ;  and 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS.  41 

now,  0  Saviour,  intercede  for  us  and  keep  us 
from  straying  away  from  thee. 

Send  thy  good  Spirit,  the  Comforter,  into 
our  hearts,  that  he  may  abide  with  us  and 
may  cheer  and  strengthen  us  in  all  our  temp- 
tations and  trials.  0  thou  Holy  Spirit  of 
the  Eather  and  of  the  Son,  come  and  take  up 
thine  abode  in  our  hearts  and  make  us  tem- 
ples of  the  living  God.  Sanctify  us,  that  we 
may  bo  devoted  to  the  service  of  the  only 
true  and  living  God,  in  body,  soul  and  spirit, 
— in  life,  in  death,  and  in  eternity. 

And,  0  Lord,  remember  also  thy  church 
in  all  countries  and  climes.  Pour  out  thy 
Holy  Spirit  upon  thy  believing  people  every- 
where, that  they  may  become  lights  shining 
in  dark  places,  and  may  thus  enlighten  those 
who  live  in  the  night  of  ignorance  and  sin. 
May  they  more  and  more  become  the  salt  of 
the  earth,  preserving  the  mass  of  humanity 
from  corruption.  Bless  all  thy  ministering 
servants  and  bestow  upon  them  richly  the 
abundance  of  thy  grace  and  the  fullness  of 


42  PRAYERS  FOR 

thy  Spirit.  Spread  thy  gospel  to  the  utter- 
most parts  of  the  earth,  in  order  that  Christ 
may  soon  rule  king  of  nations  as  he  now  rules 
king  of  saints  in  the  church. 

Dismiss  us  now  with  thy  blessing  ;  forgive 
us  all  our  shortcomings  and  sins  ;  watch  over 
us  for  good,  and  at  last  save  us  through  thy 
Son,  our  Saviour  and  Redeemer,  to  whom 
with  thee  and  the  Holy  Ghost  be  everlasting 
praises.     "  Our  Father,"  &c. — Amen. 


Prayer  for  the  Superintendent  after  School. 

0  Lord  God  Omnipotent,  who  rulest  and 
reignest  Supreme  in  the  heavens  above  and 
upon  the  earth  beneath,  and  in  the  waters 
under  the  earth ;  who  hast  the  destinies  of 
individuals  and  of  nations  in  thy  hands,  and 
doest  according  to  thy  good  pleasure :  unto 
thee  would  I  now  come  in  the  name  of  Him 
who  is  the  Way  and  the  Truth  and  the  Life, 
by  whom  alone  men  come  to  thee,  and  would 
humbly  thank  thee  for  what  I  have  experi- 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS.  43 

enced  and  enjoyed  this  day.  Thou,  Lord, 
hast  done  great  and  wondered  things  for  man 
who  is  but  dust  and  ashes.  Thou  hast  no 
pleasure  in  the  death  of  the  wicked,  but  wilt 
much  more  that  he  turn  from  his  wicked  ways 
and  live.  To  this  end  thou  didst  send  thy 
only  begotten  and  well-beloved  Son  into  the 
world,  that  whosoever  believeth  in  him  might 
not  perish  but  have  everlasting  life.  Thou 
hast  established  thy  church  in  the  earth  and 
dost  continually  call  upon"5  sinners  to  turn 
unto  thee  and  live.  Thou  hast  favored  us 
highly  in  point  of  privilege,  and  hast  this  day 
given  us  renewed  tokens  of  thy  loving  kind- 
ness and  tender  mercies  to-us-ward. 

It  has  pleased  thee,  merciful  Father,  to 
call  me  into  thy  service  and  to  place  me  at 
the  head  of  a  Sabbath  School,  where  I  may 
labor  for  thy  glory  and  the  good  of  immortal 
souls.  Oh  !  help  me,  I  beseech  thee,  to  feel 
the  great  responsibility  which  is  resting  upon 
me,  so  that  I  may  not  be  indifferent  in  regard 
to  the  extent  and  importance  of  my  duties. 


44  PKAYERS  FOR 

May  I  magnify  my  office  in  all  my  thoughts, 
words  and  deeds,  and  may  it  be  my  greatest 
desire  and  my  chief  pleasure  to  promote  the 
best  interests  of  the  school  with  which  I 
stand  thus  connected,  and  by  this  means  to 
advance  the  general  welfare  of  all  that  be- 
long to  it.  May  I  seek  in  all  things  to  has- 
ten the  coming  of  thy  kingdom  into  the 
hearts  of  the  children,  which  come  under  my 
care  from  Sabbath  to  Sabbath,  and  also  into 
all  the  world ;  and  may  thy  peace  reign  upon 
earth ;  may  good  will  towards  men  dwell  in 
every  heart,  and  may  all  glory  be  ascribed  to 
thee,  the  Lord  God  in  the  highest. 

And  now,  Lord,  I  would  make  mention  in 
my  prayer  of  the  dear  children  which  are 
connected  with  the  school  over  which  thou 
hast  placed  me.  Oh  !  do  thou  seriously  im- 
press their  hearts  with  a  sense  of  their  un- 
worthiness  and  helplessness,  that  they  may 
flee  to  Christ,  their  Saviour,  in  order  to  have 
their  sins  taken  away.  Help  them  to  give 
their  youthful  days  and  years  to  thee,  that  in 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS.  45 

the  morning  of  life  already,  they  may  know 
no  higher  privileges  and  feel  no  higher  en- 
joyments, than  such  as  are  enjoyed  by  those 
who  love  and  serve  thee  in  sincerity  and  in 
truth.  May  the  seed  of  divine  truth  which 
is  sown  into  their  young  and  tender  hearts 
from  time  to  time,  produce  the  blessed  fruits 
of  a  true  and  heartfelt  repentance  and  hearty 
consecration,  by  faith,  to  thy  most  holy  ser- 
vice. Be  merciful  unto  them  and  pardon 
their  past  transgressions  and  sins,  and  renew 
stheir  hearts  by  the  power  of  thy  Holy  Spirit, 
so  that  all  their  affections  may  be  purified 
and  sanctified,  to  thee.  Choose  out  such  as 
may  be  suited  to  become  messengers  of  peace, 
and  set  them  apart  to  the  sacred  office  of  the 
ministry  of  reconciliation.  Throw  around  all 
the  protecting  and  preserving  influences  of 
thy  church,  that  they  may  be  trained  to  thy 
service  from  their  youth  up.  0  Lord,  suffer 
them  not  to  fall  into  temptations  ;  permit 
them  not  to  be  led  astray  from  thy  fold,  but 
keep  them  that  they  all  may  become  instru- 


46  PRAYERS  K)R 

ments  in  thy  hands  for  the  up-building  of  thy 
cause  and  kingdom  in  the  earth  and  the  glo- 
rification of  thy  most  holy  name. 

Bless  the  parents  of  these  children,  and 
may  they,  together  with  their  offspring,  live 
in  thy  fear  and  in  thy  service.  May  the  fam- 
ily altar  be  established  in  every  house,  around 
•which  young  and  old  may  gather  to  offer  up 
the  incense  of  their  morning  and  evening  sac- 
rifice ;  and  may  such  incense  come  before  and 
be  accepted  by  thee,  for  the  sake  of  Christ, 
the  Saviour.  % 

Lord,  bless  all  those  who  teach  in  our 
school.  May  they  find  the  Saviour  precious 
to  their  souls ;  may  they  walk  in  the  paths  of 
virtue  and  true  holiness ;  may  pure  and  un- 
affected piety  adorn  their  walk  and  conversa- 
tion and  may  they  in  all  their  thoughts,  words 
and  deeds,  evidence  that  they  have  been  with 
Jesus  and  have  learned  of  him.  May  they 
bear  the  interests  of  the  great  cause  of  Sab- 
bath Schools  upon  their  hearts  and  bring 
them  before  thee  in  their  prayers,  morning  and 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS.  47 

evening.  Bo  thou  enable  them  to  teach  the 
children  as  those  who  have  themselves  been 
taught  of  the  Lord,  and  do  thou  bestow  thy 
richest  blessings  upon  the  labors  of  their 
hands. 

And  now,  0  Lord,  I  would  also  beseech 
thee  in  behalf  of  thy  church.  Bless  her 
abundantly.  May  she  "  arise  and  shine,  her 
light  having  come,  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord 
having  risen  upon  her."  Send  forth  thy  min- 
isters into  all  the  world,  and  open  thou  the 
hearts  of  the  children  of  men  for  the  recep- 
tion of  thy  glorious  truths.  May  the  great 
and  glorious  day  soon  come  in  which  all  the 
nations  of  the  earth  shall  know  and  honor 
the  Lord ;  when  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord 
shall  cover  the  earth  as  the  waters  cover 
the  channels  of  the  great  deep,  and  when 
Christ  shall  take  unto  himself  the  heathen 
for  his  inheritance,  and  the  uttermost  parts 
of  the  earth  for  his  possession. 

And  now,  heavenly  Father,  I  beseech  thee 
to  regard  me,  a  poor  sinner,  in  much  mercy. 


48  PRAYERS  FOR 

Pardon  all  my  sins ;  blot  out  all  my  trans- 
gressions ;  supply  all  my  deficiencies ;  heal 
all  my  backslidings,  and  restore  me  unto  thy 
blessed  favor  through  riches  of  grace  in  Christ, 
my  Redeemer.  Use  me  as  an  instrument, 
however  humble,  to  spread  thy  kingdom ;  to 
point  sinners  unto  Christ,  the  Lamb  of  God, 
and  thus  to  glorify  thy  name.  At  last,  when 
I  shall  have  finished  my  course  here  below — 
when  flesh  and  sense  fail,  and  I  shall  have  to 
pass  through  the  dark  valley  of  the  shadow 
of  death — be  thou  then  my  staff  and  my 
stay ;  comfort  me  and  receive  me  unto  thy- 
self, where  I  may  see  thee  face  to  face ;  and 
all  honor,  praise  and  glory  shall  be  to  thee, 
the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost, 
for  evermore.     Amen. 


Prayer  for  Teachers  after  School. 

0  Lord,  my  God  and  Father :  I  would 
now  come  before  thee  in  the  name  of  Christ, 
my  Saviour  and  Redeemer,  to  thank  thee  for 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS.  49 

life  and  for  health  of  body  and  mind,  in  the 
enjoyment  of  which  I  could  this  day  attend 
to  my  duties  as  a  Sabbath  School  teacher. 
Enable  me,  0  Lord,  to  realize  the  greatness 
of  this  privilege — the  privilege  of  instructing 
in  the  holy  truths  of  the  Bible,  such  as  thou 
hast  commanded  to  be  brought  unto  thee,  and 
of  whom  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven  ;  to  point 
them  unto  Christ,  the  Lamb  of  God,  and  to 
teach  them  the  way  of  life.  But  what  am  I, 
and  what  are  the  instructions  I  can  impart  if 
they  are  not  accompanied  by  thy  blessing  ? 
For  a  Paul  may  plant  and  an  Apollos  may 
water,  but  the  increase  must  come  from  thee. 
I  beseech  thee,  therefore,  to  water  with  thy 
heavenly  grace  the  seeds  of  truth  which  were 
sown  by  me,  a  feeble  instrument,  this  day. — 
May  they  not  have  fallen  upon  the  hard  road, 
nor  among  thorns,  nor  upon  stony  ground  ; 
but  into  good  soil,  and  may  they  spring  up 
and  bring  forth  fruit  abundantly  to  the  praise 
of  thy  name.  Do  thou  graciously  own  and 
bless  and  establish  upon  me  and  my  fellow- 

B-2. 


60  PKA1ERS  POR 

teachers,  the  feeble  efforts  which  were  put 
forth  in  our  school  this  day.  Bless,  I  pray 
thee,  alf  the  children  of  our  school ;  fill  their 
minds  and  hearts  with  heavenly  truth  and 
wisdom,  and  seriously  impress  them  with  a 
sense  of  the  vanity  of  all  earthly  pleasures ; 
the  hideousness  of  sin  and  all  evil,  and  ena- 
ble them  by  faith  to  lay  hold  upon  better 
things,  even  spiritual  treasures,  which  will 
not  perish,  but  endure  forever.  Enable  them 
to  seek,  first  of  all,  thy  kingdom  and  thy 
righteousness,  and  to  live  for  thy  honor  and 
glory  all  the  days  of  their  earthly  existence. 

Regard,  also,  my  fellow-teachers  and  the 
officers  of  our  school,  in  much  mercy.  May 
we  all  see  eye  to  eye,  labor  hand  in  hand,  and 
live  as  one  christian  family  in  pure  and  holy 
love,  laboring  together  for  each  other's,  and 
the  salvation  of  those  placed  under  our  care. 

Bless,  0  Lord,  the  parents  of  the  children 
who  visit  our  school.  May  they  live  in  thy 
fear  and  love,  and  train  up  their  children  in 
the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord.— 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS.  51 

May  their  families  and  each  and  every  mem- 
ber thereof,  be  an  ornament  to  thy  church 
and  a  blessing  to  the  present  and  to  coming 
generations. 

And  now,  0  Lord,  look  upon  me,  thy  un- 
worthy servant,  with  tender  compassion.  I 
know  that  I  come  far  short  in  all  my  duties, 
I  know  that  I  love  thee  not  as  thou  deservest 
to  be  loved,  and  that  I  have  not  yet  given 
myself  to  thy  service  to  such  a  degree  as  I 
ought.  I  often  forget  thee  and  my  thoughts 
and  affections  are  set  upon  the  perishable 
things  of  the  world.  I  must  confess  myself 
a  sinner  before  thee/ deserving  thy  hot  dis- 
pleasure. But  I  beseech  thee  in  the  name 
and  for  the  sake  of  Christ,  thy  Son,  to  have 
mercy  upon  me.  Oh!  cast  me  not  away, 
and  take  not  thy  good  Spirit  from  me.  Re- 
new me  more  and  more  in  the  inner  man  and 
make  me  more  conformable  to  thine  own  im- 
age. Mortify  all  remains  of  sin  and  evil 
that  are  in  me,  and  fit  and  qualify  me  to  love 
and  serve  thee  more  and  better.     May  I  be- 


52  PRAYERS  FOR 

come  more  and  more  crucified  unto  tlie  world ; 
may  I  deny  myself,  take  up  my  cross  and 
follow  Christ  through  evil  as  well  as  through 
good  report,  and  may  I  thus  live  only  for  thy 
glory  and  the  best  interests  of  immortal  souls. 
Strengthen  my  faith  and  enable  me  to  live  in 
daily  communion  with  the  realities  of  the 
world  to  come,  and  thus  become  prepared 
for  the  enjoyment  of  thy  presence  in  heaven, 
where  I  shall  see  thee  face  to  face,  and 
praise  and  glorify  thee,  the  Triune  God 
— Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost,  in  a  world 
without  end.     Amen. 


Prayer  for  a  Sick  Teacher  or  Scholar. 

Our  Father:  We  come  before  thee  at 
this  time  in  behalf  of  one  of  our  number, 
whom  thou  hast  laid  upon  a  bed  of  sickness 
and  suffering.  We  would  approach  thee  in 
the  name  of  thy  dear  Son,  our  Saviour  and 
Redeemer,  and  would  ask  thee,  for  his  sake, 
to  lend  a  listening  ear  unto  our  petitions. — 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS.  58 

We  know,  0  Lord,  that  thou,  in  thy  infinite 
goodness,  doest  all  things  well,  and  that  when 
we  are  afflicted,  it  is  for  our  own  good.  Thou 
makest  us  to  go  through  the  fiery  furnace  of 
affliction  and  refinest  us  as  by  fire,  in  order  to 
purify  us  and  to  make  us  meet  for  an  inheri- 
tance of  everlasting  glory.  Thus  we  know, 
too,  that  thou  hast  a  wise  purpose  in  view  in 
the  affliction  of  our  friend  and  teacher, 
(scholar,)  for  whom  we  would  now  intercede. 
And  may  thy  gracious  design  not  be  hin- 
dered, but  may  the  afflictions  which  thou  hast 
sent  upon  him,  (her,)  prove  productive  of 
great  good.  May  he  (she)  come  forth  out  of 
the  furnace  of  affliction  as  gold  seven  times 
purified. 

Yet,  0  Lord,  be  thou  not  angry  with  us 
for  speaking  unto  thee  in  behalf  of  him  (her) 
who  is  sick,  perhaps  nigh  unto  death.  Oh  ! 
-do  thou  remember  him  (her)  in  much  mercy. 
Sustain  him  (her)  by  thy  grace  and  Spirit, 
and  grant  him  (her)  peace  of  mind  and  a 
sense  of  the  forgiveness  of  his  (her)  sins. — 


t>4  PRATERS  FOR 

Spare  him,  (her,)  0  Lord,  if  it  be  thy  will,  ■ 
for  much  usefulness^  days  to  come,  and  re- 
store him  (her)  to  the  enjoyment  of  good 
health  ;  nevertheless,  not  our  but  thy  will  be 
done.  If  his  (her)  end  be  at  hand,  oh  !  then 
have  mercy  on  him  (her)  and  enable  him, 
(her,)  by  a  living  faith,  to  lay  hold  of  the 
merits  of  the  blessed  Saviour,  so  as  to  ena- 
ble him  (her)  to  commend  his  (her)  soul  into 
His  hands.  If  it  be  thy  will,  however,  to  re- 
store him  (her)  to  good  health  and  strength, 
grant  that  all  the  energies  of  his  (her)  life 
may  henceforth  be  consecrated  to  thy  ser- 
vice. May  he  (she)  be  devoted  to  the  work 
of  the  Lord  so  as  to  give  himself  (herself) 
f ally  and  unreservedly  unto  thee,  to  love  and 
serve  thee  with  a  full  purpose  of  heart. 

And  now,  Lord,  hear  our  prayer  in  the 
name  and  for  the  sake  of  thine  own  dearly- 
beloved  Son,  our  Saviour  ;  forgive  us  all  our 
sins  ;  be  ever  with  us,  in  good  health  and  in 
sickness,  in  prosperity  and  in  adversity,  un- 
til, in  thy  good  providence,  our  end  will  have 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS. 


come,  and  then  own  and  accept  us  through 
riches  of  grace  in  Christ,  our  Redeemer. — - 
Amen. 


Prayer  on  the  Occasion  of  the  Death  of  a 
Teacher. 

Eternal  and  unchangeable  Jehovah :  We 
come  with  sorrowful  hearts,  into  thy  presence 
at  this  time.  We  come  in  the  name  of  Christ, 
our  Mediator  and  Intercessor,  and  we  would 
humbly  adore  thee  as  the  author  of  our  exist- 
ence ;  the  Framer  of  our  bodies  and  the 
Father  of  our  spirits  ;  as  the  Father  of  lights, 
in  whom  there  is  no  variableness  nor  shadow 
of  turning.  Thou  did'st  create  man  in  thine 
own  image ;  did'st  breathe  into  his  nostrils 
the  breath  of  life,  and  he  became  a  living 
soul ;  and  behold,  he  was  very  good.  But 
"  by  one  man's  transgression  sin  came  into  the 
world,  and  death  by  sin  ;  and  so  death  pass- 
ed upon  all  men,  for  that  all  have  sinned," 
"for  the  wages  of  sin  is  death."     Of  this 


56  PRAYERS  FOR 

fact  we  are  this  day  forcibly  reminded  for  a 
seat  in  our  midst,  which  was  formerly  occu- 
pied by  one  of  our  number,  is  this  day  vacant. 
Death  has  laid  his  cold  hand  upon  a  brother, 
(sister)  and  he  (she)  is  with  us  no  more.  He, 
(she)  lies  low  in  the  grave ;  his  (her)  eyes  are 
closed ;  his  (her)  lips  are  sealed  in  death ! 
No  more  will  his  (her)  voice  be  heard  in  our 
midst  in  singing  thy  praises ;  no  more  will 
the  words  of  instruction  and  counsel  from  his 
(her)  lips,  be  heard  amongst  us.  Thou,  Lord, 
who  holdest  the  issues  of  life  and  death  in 
thy  hand,  hast  called  him  (her)  hence,  and  we 
will  not  grieve  over  our  loss,  knowing  that 
whatsoever  thou  doest  is  done  well.  We  will 
not  murmur,  but  will  lay  our  hands  upon  our 
mouths  and  our  mouths  in  the  dust  and  will 
say  :  "Thy  will,  and  not  our's,  be  done." 

We  pray  thee,  however,  to  make  this  solemn 
call  of  great  benefit  to  our  souls.  May  we 
be  reminded  by  this  dispensation,  that  man's 
life  is  but  a  hand-breadth ;  that  we  have  here 
no  abiding  place,  but  must  depart.     Oh,  per- 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS.  57 

mit  us  not  to  put  off  the  great  work  of  pre- 
paring for  the  last  hour,  until  it  be  forever . 
too  late  !  Impress  all  of  us,  deeply,  with  a 
sense  of  the  fact  that  death  conies  quickly 
and  as  a  thief  in  the  night.  May  we  take 
warning  in  time ;  may  this  be  a  call  unto  us, 
saying:  "Set  thy  house  in  order  for  thou 
shalt  die  and  not  live." 

0  Lord,  help  us,  to  die  daily  unto  the 
world,  unto  ourselves  and  unto  sin,  that  Christ 
may  live  in  us  so  that  when  death  comes,  to 
die  may  be  our  gain.  Enable  us  to  improve 
every  moment  of  our  lives  for  our  own  salva- 
tion and  the  salvation  of  our  fellow  men ;  that 
we  may  be  like  unto  the  wise  virgins,  having 
our  lamps  of  faith  trimmed  and  burning,  and 
our  vessels  well  supplied  with  oil,  waiting  for 
the  coming  of  Christ  our  heavenly  bride- 
groom, so  as  to  be  able  to  enter  with  Him  and 
sit  down  with  Abraham,  Isaac  and  Jacob  to 
the  marriage  supper  of  the  Lamb. 

Be  thou,  0  Lord,  with  those  whom  thou 
hast  bereaved  in  the  death  of  him  (her)  for 


58  PRAYERS  FOR 

"whom  we,  this  day,  go  mourning.  Oh  !  sus- 
tain them  by  thy  Word  and  Spirit,  that  they 
may  not  mourn  as  those  who  have  no  hope. 
Speak  peace  unto  their  souls,  0  blessed 
Saviour,  thou  "Prince  of  Peace;"  and  thou 
Holy  Comforter,  comfort  their  sorrowing 
hearts  and  bear  them  up  in  their  bereavement. 
May  this  dispensation  be  an  admonition  to 
them  and  a  voice,  saying :  "  be  ye  likewise 
ready."  May  they  set  their  house  in  order 
and  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to  depart 
whenever  the  Lord  will  call  them. 

And  now  Lord,  look  in  much  mercy  upon 
us  all ;  help  us  to  repent  of  all  our  sins,  and 
graciously  pardon  us — and  at  last,  when  the 
solemn  hour  of  departure  will  have  come  for 
us,  do  thou  receive  us  home  into  thy  everlast- 
ing habitations,  through  riches  of  grace  in 
Christ  our  Saviour  and  Redeemer.     Amen. 


Death  of  a  Scholar. 
0  Thou,  who  hast  the  issues  of  life  and 
death  in  thy  hand,  look  in  mercy  upon  us  as 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS.  59 

we  attempt  to  approach,  into  thy  presence  at 
this  time.  We  come  with  bleeding  hearts, 
for  death  has  entered  our  school  and  has 
claimed  one  of  its  members  as  a  victim.  0 
Lord,  how  uncertain  is  life  and  how  certain 
is  death  !  Our  lives  are  short  and  fleeting — 
we  come  forth  as  the  grass  of  the  field  and 
abide  but  for  a  short  time.  We  droop,  wither, 
die,  and  return  to  dust  and  ashes.  In  the 
midst  of  life  we  are  surrounded  by  death, 
whose  shafts  fall  thick  and  fast  around  us  ! — 
Young  and  old  alike  must  lay  by  their  mor- 
tal body  and  sleep  the  long  sleep  in  the  cold 
embrace  of  death  ! 

May  this  sad  dispensation— the  death  of 
our  young  friend  and  scholar — remind  us  of 
the  fact,  that  no  one  is  too  young  to  die. — 
Death  is  in  truth  no  respecter  of  persons. 
The  reaper-angel  goes  forth  and  gathers  in 
the  young  and  smiling  infant ;  the  blooming 
youth  and  maiden ;  the  strong  man  and  fair 
woman,  as  well  as  the  old  and  infirm,  who,  in 
point  of  age,  are  ripe  for  his  sickle.     Grant 


60  PRAYERS  FOR 

that  we  all  may  lay  this  truth  most  seriously 
to  heart,  and  may  so  live  as  to  be  prepared 
to  meet  thee  at  thy  coming. 

How  soon  one  or  the  other  of  us,  who  are 
yet  alive,  will  be  called,  we  can  not  know ; 
therefore  we  should  all  be  diligent  in  the  work 
of  preparation  for  the  solemn  hour  of  death. 
We  pray  thee,  0  Lord,  to  assist  us  in  our 
weakness.  Help  us  to  strive  to  enter  in  at 
the  straight  gate ;  strengthen  our  faith,  and 
enable  us  to  watch  and  to  pray  in  order  to 
be  ready. 

Although  we  mourn  at  the  death  of  our 
friends,  yet  we  would  also  bless  thy  holy 
name,  for  the  assurance  thy  Word  gives  us, 
that  our  loved  ones,  who  die  in  the  Lord,  are 
not  lost  to  us,  but  only  gone  before.  They 
are  gone  to  be  with  Jesus,  which  is  far  better. 
They  are  gone  to  inhabit  blest  mansions 
above,  prepared  by  his  love;  where  "the 
wicked  cease  from  troubling  and  the  weary 
are  at  rest."  And  oh  !  may  we  feel  our- 
selves drawn  after  them ;  may  we  not  wish 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS.  61 

them  back  ;  may  we  not  seek  them  upon 
earth,  but  strive  to  be  prepared  to  go  and  be 
with  them  in  heaven. 

And  now,  0  Lord,  be  thou  with  those  whom 
thou  hast  bereft  by  this  solemn  dispensation. 
Comfort  and  console  their  sorrowing  hearts ; 
speak  peace,  0  thou  "  Prince  of  Peace,"  unto 
their  troubled  souls,  and  stir  them  up  to  look 
upwards  and  to  go  on  towards  the  heavenly 
city,  waiting  for  the  coming  of  the  Lord. — 
May  they  seek  their  treasures  in  heaven,  and 
thus  be  drawn  away  from  the  earth  to  hold 
communion  with  heavenly  things. 

Hear  us  now,  0  Lord ;  forgive  us  all  our 
short-comings,  mis-doings  and  sins,  and  save 
us  finally  for  our  Redeemer's  sake.     Amen. 


Prayer  after  the  Recovery  of  a  SicJc  Teacher 
or  Scholar. 

Bless  the  Lord,  0  my  soul,  and  all  that 
is  within  me,  bless  his  holy  name.  Bless  the 
Lord,  0  my  soul,  and  forget  not  all  his  bene- 


62  JPRAYEttS  roil 

fits  ;  who  forgiveth  all  thine  iniquities ;  who 
healeth  all  thy  diseases ;  who  redeemeth  thy 
life  from  destruction,  and  crowneth  thee  with 
loving  kindness  and  tender  mercies.  0  Lord, 
our  God,  we  desire  to  come  before  thee  at 
this  time,  as  before  a  merciful  Father,  with 
thanksgivings  and  praises;  we  would  adore 
and  magnify  thy  great  and  blessed  name,  for 
thou  hast  done  great  things  for  us.  Thou 
hast  had  mercy  upon  him  (her)  that  was  sick, 
and,  perhaps,  nigh  unto  the  gates  of  death. 
Thou  hast  restored  him  (her)  to  the  enjoyment 
of  a  reasonable  measure  of  good  health,  so  as 
to  enable  him  (her),  again  to  appear  in  our 
school. 

And  now  Lord,  we  pray  thee  to  accept  our 
humble  thanks,  and  to  grant  us  grace  to  re- 
joice with  him  (her)  that  rejoices  over  thy 
great  love  and  compassion  to  him,  (her)  and 
to  us  as  a  school.  And  now,  may  thy  good- 
ness, thy  loving  kindness  and  tender  mercies, 
thy  long-suffering  and  patience,  not  be  in  vain, 
but  may  they  lead  us  to  a  heart-felt  and  un- 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS.  68 

feigned  repentance  for  all  our  sins ;  to  a  living 
faith  in  Christ,  and  to  an  entire  yielding  up  of 
ourselves  to  thy  most  holy  service.  Enable 
us,  0  Lord,  to  see  and  feel  why  it  is  that  thou 
dost  still  preserve  us  in  life.  May  we  know 
and  lay  to  heart  that  it  is  in  order  that  we 
may  love  thee  more  and  serve  thee  better  ?  and 
thus  become  prepared  for  an  entrance  into 
everlasting  glory.  To  this  end,  0  Lord,  grant 
us  the  aid  of  thy  Holy  Spirit.  May  he  take 
of  the  things  of  Jesus  and  show  them  unto 
us ;  may  he  wean  us  more  and  more  from  the 
world  and  draw  all  our  affections  heavenward* 
May  he  fit  us  to  love  and  serve  thee  here  be- 
low and  to  dwell  with  thee  in  bliss  and  glory 
above.  We  now  commit  and  commend  our- 
selves into  thy  parental  care  and  keeping. 
Be  with  us,  blessed  Lord,  and  keep  us  from 
all  evil.  Guide  and  direct  us ;  try  us  and  see 
whether  we  are  in  the  wicked  way  and  lead 
us  into  the  way  everlasting.  Dismiss  us  now 
with  thy  blessing;  be  ever  with  us,  and  at 
last  own  and  save  us  for  the  sake  and  through 


64  PRAYERS  FOR 

the  merits  of  thine  own  dear  Son,  our  Saviour 
and  Redeemer.     Amen. 


Praying  at  Dismissing  a  Scholar  in  good 
Standing. 

0  Lord,  our  God,  thou  art  unchangeable. 
From  all  eternity  thou  art  the  same,  for  in 
thee,  the  Father  of  lights,  there  is  no  vari- 
ableness nor  shadow  of  turning.  We  are  but 
of  yesterday  and  pass  away  quickly.  The 
friends  we  loved  in  former  years  are  with  us 
no  more.  Some  sleep  in  the  cold  grave,  and 
others  have  taken  their  leave  and  have  gone 
in  far  distant  lands.  Our  associations  in  this 
life  are  continually  changing.  We  make 
friends  to  day  and  part  with  them  to-morrow. 
We  are  on  this  present  occasion  forcibly  re- 
minded of  this  fact,  by  being  obliged  to  dis- 
miss one  of  our  number  from  our  school,  per- 
haps never  more  to  see  him  (her)  upon  earth. 

And  now,  Our  Heavenly  Father,  we  desire 
to  appear  before  thee  in  behalf  of  him  (her) 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS.  65 

who  is  about  to  leave  this  school.  We  com- 
mit arid  commend  him  (her)  into  thy  paren- 
tal care  and  keeping,  and  beseech  thee  to  let 
thy  special  protection  and  guidance  accom- 
pany him  (her)  in  all  his  (her)  ways, — in  his 
(her)  journeyings,  and  in  his  (her  new  home. 
Let  they  richest  blessings  rest  upon  him,  (her) 
at  all  times  and  in  all  places.  Guard  him, 
(her)  0  Lord,  against  sinful  and  wicked  asso- 
ciates. Throw  around  him  (her)  the  salutary 
influences  of  thy  church  and  the  sabbath 
school,  and  guide  him  (her)  by  thy  good 
spirit  under  all  circumstances,  whether  favor- 
able or  unfavorable.  Draw  him  (her)  continu- 
ally by  thy  love  and  spirit,  and  help  him  (her) 
to  walk  in  the  paths  of  truth,  of  righteous- 
ness and  of  true  holiness ;  loving  thee  with 
a  pure  heart,  and  serving  thee  with  a  good 
conscience. 

May  he  (she)  abide  in  thy  fear  and  become 
a  light  shining  in  dark  places ;  dispelling  the 
night  of  sin  and  iniquity,  and  leading  many 

to   Christ   the  "light   of  the  world,  "—the 
0-1. 


66  PftAYEHs  FOK 

"Lamb  of  God,"  that  their  sins  may  he  taken 
away.  To  this  end,  blessed  Father,  seal  upon 
his  (her)  heart  and  apply  to  his  (her)  con- 
science, the  instructions  he  (she)  received  in 
this  school.  May  they  be  as  good  seed,  and 
may  they  have  found  good  soil,  spring  up  and 
produce  an  abundance  of  good  fruit. 

And,  0  Lord,  help  us  who  remain  here? 
often  to  remember  him,  (her,)  whom  we  now 
dismiss  from  our  school,  in  our  prayers  at  thy 
mercy  seat.  Enable  us  to  cherish  the  spirit 
of  pure  and  holy  love  in  our  hearts,  even  of 
that  love  which  comes  from  thee,  who  art  love. 
Be  with  us  all ;  forgive  all  our  sins  and  short- 
comings ;  quicken  us  by  thy  spirit,  and  at 
last  receive  one  and  all  of  us  into  thy  hea- 
venly kingdom  and  grant  us  the  bliss  of  be- 
holding thee,  "face  to  face,"  and  of  praising 
and  glorifying  thee,  the  Father,  Son  and  Holy 
Ghost,  for  ever  and  ever.     Amen. 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS.  67 

Prayer  at  the  Expulsion  of  a  Scholar  for 
bad  Conduct* 

0  Lord,  we  appear  before  thee  with  sorrow- 
ful hearts  !  Necessity  was  laid  upon  us  in 
thus  expelling  a  member  from  our  school. 
His  (her)  conduct  was  such  as  to  disturb  the 
peace  and  hinder  the  prosperity  of  our  school, 
and  there  was  danger  that  others  would  be  led 
astray  by  his  (her)  example.  Words  of  kind 
admonition,  of  mild  correction,  of  affection- 
ate entreaty  and  of  stern  rebuke,  were  alike 
fruitless.  At  last  we  performed  the  hard,  yet 
necessary,  task  of  expulsion  !  And  now,  0 
Lord,  we  would  still  make  use  of  the  only 
means  that  is  left  us  and  would  continue  to 
pray  in  behalf  of  him  (her)  who  is  now  cast 
out  from  our  midst.  Have  thou  mercy,  oh 
our  heavenly  Father,  and  grant  that  he  (she) 

*It  is  questionable  whether  it  is  prudent  to  expel  a 
scholar  from  school,  unless  all  hope  of  reforming  him  (her) 
is  vain,  and  he  (she)  has  become  so  wicked  as  to  disturb 
the  peace  and  hinder  the  prosperity  of  the  school,  by  set- 
ting a  bad  example  to  the  children,  and  leading  them  astray 
to  walk  in  his  (her)  own  wicked  ways.  If  a  scholar  is  ex- 
pele4,  ^should  only  be  done  after  prayerful  consideration 


68  PRAYERS  FOR 

may  feel  the  disgrace  that  is  now  brought 
upon  him,  (her)  and  that  he  (she)  may  come 
to  himself  (herself)  like  the  prodigal,  and 
may  return  a  true  penitent,  over  whom  thy 
holy  angels  in  heaven  may  rejoice.  Forbid 
0  Lord,  that  he  (she)  should  cast  away  from 
himself  (herself)  every  restraint  and  rush  on 
to  inevitable  destruction,  heedless  of  all  warn- 
ing and  advice.  Oh,  turn  him  (her)  from  his 
(her)  evil  ways ;  arrest  him  (her)  in  his  (her) 
career  of  sin  and  folly,  and  bring  him  (her) 
back  to  thee.  May  the  kind  admonitions  and 
entreaties ;  the  faithful  warnings  and  advice, 
which  were  made  to  him  (her)  in  this  school, 
follow  him  (her)  and  leave  him  (her)  no  rest 
until  he  (she)  give  heed  unto  them.  May 
thy  good  spirit  strive  with  him  (her)  and  draw 
him  (her)  away  from  his  sinful  course.  May 
the  truths  of  thy  Holy  Word,  the  hymns  of 
praise  and  the  prayers,  as  he  (she)  heard  them 
from  time  to  time  in  this  school,  sound  and 
resound  in  his  (her)  ears  until  they  reach  his 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS.  69 

(her)  heart  and  bring  him  (her)  to  reflect, 
repent  and  return. 

Hear  now  our  prayers,  0  Lord,  and  an- 
swer them ;  grant  our  humble  requests  in  be- 
half of  the  scholar  that  was  expelled  from 
our  school ;  turn  him  (her)  from  the  way  of 
sin  and  error  unto  thee  the  living  and  true 
God,  and  all  honor,  praise  and  glory  shall  be 
thine  forever  and  ever.     Amen. 


Prayer  at  the  Opening  of  a  Teachers' 
Meeting,  or  Bible  Class. 

0  Lokd,  thou  art  a  great  God  and  a  great 
King,  and  art  worthy  to  be  praised  and  to  be 
had  in  reverence  by  all  thine  intelligent  crea- 
tures in  Heaven  above  and  upon  the  earth 
below.  The  bright  seraphs,  which  surround 
thy  throne,  veil  their  faces  and  cry  one  to 
another  and  say :  "  Holy,  Holy,  Holy  is  the 
Lord  God  of  Hosts,  the  whole  earth  is  full  of 
his  glory."  It  becomes  us,  0  Lord,  to  take 
our  position  in  the  dust  and  to  worship  and 


70  PRAYERS  FOR 

adore  thee  in  deep  humility ;  for  "  what  is 
man  that  thou  art  mindful  of  him  and  the  son 
of  man  that  thou  visitest  him  ?"  We  would, 
therefore,  humble  our  souls  before  thee  at 
this  time,  and  would  bless,  adore  and  magnify 
thee  as  a  God  of  boundless  love  and  compas- 
sion, having  "no  pleasure  in  the  death  of 
the  wicked,  but  that  the  wicked  turn  from 
his  way  and  live."  Oh!  how  great  is  thy 
love !  how  abundant  thy  mercy !  and  how 
long  suffering  thy  patience !  Although  we 
deserve  to  be  forever  banished  from  thy  pre- 
sence, thou  art  still  calling  unto  us  to  turn 
and  live.  When  man  had  forfeited  all  claims 
to  thy  goodness  and  love,  having  transgressed 
thy  righteous  command  and  trampled  thy 
holy  will  under  foot ;  when  he  had  made  him- 
self incapable  of  loving  and  serving  thee  on 
account  of  his  sin,  and  had  thus  shut  himself 
out  from  all  communion  with  thee,  thou  didst 
stretch  forth  thy  hand  and  didst  snatch  him 
from  the  destruction  into  which  he  had  plung- 
ed himself.     He  was  dead  in  trespasses  and 


3AB0&TH  SCHOOLS.  71 

sins ;  a  heavy  load  Gf  guilt  was  lying  Upon 
him,  but  thou  didst  send  thine  own  dearly 
beloved  Son  into  the  world,  in  order  to  re- 
store man  to  life  and  happiness  again.  He 
came  and  took  upon  himself  our  nature ;  He 
became  oiie  of us  and-"  was  in  all  points  tempt- 
ed like  as  we  are,  yet  without  sin;"  he  took 
upon  himself  our  sins  and  our  guilt,  and 
"bore  them  in  his  body  on  the  tree,  that  we, 
being  dead  to  sin,  should  live  unto  righteous- 
ness." 

Thou  didst  also,  in  great  mercy,  bestow 
upon  us  thy  good  and  Holy  Spirit,  and  thus 
we  are  made  able,  by  his  gracious  aid  and  in- 
fluence, to  lay  hold  of  the  salvation,  which 
Christ  our  Saviour  wrought  out  for  us  upon 
the  cross,  and  which  is  offered  unto  us  in  the 
Gospel.  Thou  didst  establish  thy  church 
upon  earth,  and  didst  institute  sufficient 
means  of  grace  by  which  our  spiritual  life 
may  be  quickened  and  nourished  into  life 
everlasting. 

And  now  Lord,  as  thou  hast  done  so  great 


72  PRAYERS  FOR 

and  wonderful  things  for  the  salvation  of  the 
human  race,  and  art  still  making  use  of 
human  instrumentalities  to  carry  forward  thy 
work,  it  behooves  us,  also,  to  be  up  and 
doing;  to  be  laboring  in  thy  harvest  field 
seeking  the  salvation  of  immortal  souls.  We 
desire,  therefore,  at  this  time,  to  make  men- 
tion, in  our  prayers,  of  thy  church,  Pour 
out  the  fullness  of  thy  Spirt  upon  her.  May 
she  "arise  and  shine,  her  light  being  come 
and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  being  risen  upon 
her."  Prosper,  we  pray  thee,  the  preaching 
of  thy  Gospel,  and  bless  it  to  the  conversion 
of  many  sinners  from  the  error  of  their  ways 
to  thee,  the  living  and  true  God.  Send  more 
laborers  into  thy  harvest  field,  for  truly  the 
harvest  is  plenteous,  but  the  laborers  are  few. 
Eaise  up  many  who  shall  feel  themselves  con- 
strained by  the  love  of  Christ,  to  go  forth  in 
thy  name  and  in  the  power  of  thy  might,  as 
heralds  of  the  eross,  to  proclaim  the  gospel 
of  salvation  to  a  perishing  world.  Be  with 
those   who   already   stand    on    the  walls   of 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS.  73 

Zion  and  strengthen  them  for  the  faithful  dis- 
charge of  all  their  duties.  Crown  with  thy 
richest  blessing  the  labors  of  their  hands,  so 
that  they  may  be  able  to  see  the  fruits  of 
their  toil  and  may  rejoice,  giving  all  glory  to 
thee. 

Especially,  0  Lord,  be  with  those  who 
labor  in  heathen  lands.  Oh  !  remember  them 
and  make  thy  grace  sufficient  for  every  trial 
they  have  to  endure.  Dispose  those  to  whom 
they  preach  the  gospel,  to  receive  it  gladly ; 
and  may  its  light  shine  into  their  hearts  and 
dispel  all  the  darkness  of  sin  and  evil  that 
by  nature  reigns  within  them.  Prosper 
greatly  the  labors  of  all  who  toil  for  the  spread 
of  thy  kingdom,  the  salvation  of  souls  and 
the  honor  and  glory  of  thy  name.  Our 
Father,  who  art  in  heaven,  may  thy  name 
soon  be  hallowed  by  all ;  may  thy  kingdom 
soon  come  into  every  heart,  and  may  soon  thy 
will  be  done  on  earth  even  as  it  is  done  in 
heaven  above.  Help  us,  0  Lord,  to  glorify 
thy  name  in  all  our   thoughts,  words   and 


74  PRAYERS  FOR 

deeds,  and  may  we  at  all  times  and  in  all 
things  have  a  wise  reference  to  thy  most  holy 
and  most  righteous  will. 

We  also  desire  to  bring  before  thee  the 
cause  of  Sabbath  Schools  at  this  time.  We 
pray  thee  to  prosper  it  to  the  accomplishment 
of  much  good.  Bestow  richly  of  thy  Spirit 
upon  all  officers,  teachers  and  children  con- 
nected with  the  same,  and  enable  all  properly 
and  faithfully  to  discharge  their  several  du- 
ties. Bless  the  operations  of  that  institu- 
tion, which  ha3  for  its  object  the  establish- 
ment of  schools  in  destitute  places  and  the 
circulation  of  good  books  for  the  young. — 
Guide  those  who  preside  over  it  by  thy  coun- 
sel and  Spirit,  and  make  all  who  are  connected 
with  it,  faithful  and  active  in  the  discharge  of 
their  duties,  that  much  good  may  be  done 
through  its  agency. 

And  now,  0  Lord,  as  we  have  met  together 
at  this  time  for  the  purpose  of  mutual  con- 
sultation and  the  united  study  of  thy  Word, 
we  would  beseech  thee  to  be  present  with  us 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS.  75 

at  this  time.  Solemnize  our  hearts  and  our 
minds  ;  enable  us  to  feel  the  great  privileges, 
but  also  the  great  responsibilities,  of  our  sta- 
tion, and  help  us  to  study  thy  Word  care- 
fully and  prayerfully,  to  our  own  edification 
and  for  the  benefit  of  those  whom  it  is  our 
lot  to  instruct.  Bless  all  the  children  of 
our  school.  Fill  their  young  and  tender 
hearts  with  love  and  reverence  towards  thee  ; 
watch  over  them  at  all  times,  and  graciously 
preserve  them  from  straying  into  the  paths  of 
sin  and  folly ;  such  as  have  gone  astray, 
bring  back  and  make  them  to  walk  in  thine 
own  ways.  Bless  also  the  parents  of  these 
children.  May  they  watch  over  their  tender 
offspring  and  direct  them  to  walk  in  the 
straight  path  of  wisdom  and  godly  fear ;  and 
may  they  at  last,  together  with  their  children, 
surround  thy  throne  and  ascribe  all  honor, 
praise  and  glory  unto  thee,  the  Father,  to- 
gether with  the  Son  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  for 
evermore.  And  now,  Lord,  be  with  us  during 
this  hour ;  open  unto  us  the  eyes  of  our  un- 


76  PRAYERS  FOR 

derstanding  that  we  may  see  wondrous  things 
out  of  thy  law ;  teach  us  by  thy  Spirit ;  glo- 
rify thyself  in  us  and  in  all  our  thoughts, 
words  and  deeds,  and  at  last  assemble  us  to- 
gether in  thy  glorious  mansions  of  light  and 
bliss  above,  through  Jesus  Christ,  thy  Son, 
our  Saviour  and  Redeemer.     Amen. 


Prayer  at  the  Close  of  a  Teachers1  Meeting 
or  Bible  Class. 

Most  Gracious  God  and  Father  :  We  de- 
sire to  come  before  thee  once  more,  before  we 
depart  from  this  place,  to  seek  thy  gracious 
blessing  upon  the  labors  in  which  we  have 
been  engaged  at  this  time.  We  know  that 
all  our  efforts  to  do  good,  will  and  must  prove 
fruitless  if  thou  bestowest  not  thy  blessing 
upon  them.  A  Paul  may  plant  and  an  Apol- 
los  may  water,  but  the  increase  must  come 
from  thee.  Therefore,  as  we  have  been  en- 
gaged in  the  study  of  thy  Word,  at  this  time, 
we  would  now  ask  thee  to  seal  upon  our 
hearts  the  truths  which  we  have  been  consid- 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS.  77 

ering.  Grant,  0  Lord,  that  they  may  be  as 
good  seed  in  good  soil ;  water  them  with  the 
dews  of  thy  heavenly  grace,  to  the  end  that 
they  may  produce  an  abundant  harvest  of 
good  works,  done  in  love  and  in  the  faith  of 
Jesus  Christ. 

We  desire  to  commend  to  thy  special  care, 
the  cause  in  which  we  are  engaged.  As  it 
has  pleased  thee  to  incline  our  hearts  to  be- 
come laborers  in  thy  harvest-field,  and  to  as- 
sume the  duties  of  Sabbath  School  teachers, 
we  feel  that  it  behooves  us  to  make  use  of 
every  means  in  our  reach,  to  accomplish  the 
object  of  our  mission.  We  pray  thee,  there- 
fore, to  remember  in  much  mercy,  us,  thy 
humble  servants,  and  with  us,  all  other  offi- 
cers and  teachers  of  Sabbath  Schools.  Pour 
out  into  our  hearts  the  fulness  of  thy  Spirit, 
and  endow  us  with  wisdom  and  understand* 
ing  from  above,  to  the  faithful  and  effectual 
discharge  of  all  our  duties.  Make  plain  unto 
us  the  blessed  truths  of  thy  Word,  and  may 
they  lay  hold  of  our  minds^  hearts  and  con- 


78  PRAYERS  FOR 

sciences  and  prompt  us  to  love  and  serve  thee 
in  sincerity  and  truth.     May  a  love  for  souls 
urge  us  on  to  labor  in  season  and  out  of  sea- 
son ;  to  be  diligent  and  persevering  ;  watch- 
ful and  prayerful  in  all  our  labors  ;  not  be- 
coming weary  in  well-doing,  knowing  that  in 
due  season  we  shall  also  reap  if  we  faint  not. 
Remember,   0   Lord,  the   children  of   all 
Sabbath  Schools  throughout  the  length  and 
breadth  of  the  whole  earth.     But  not  only 
those  who  enjoy  the  privileges  of  the  Sabbath 
School,  but  also  all  others  would  we  com- 
mend to  thy  fatherly  regard.     Lord,  be  with 
them   and    bless    them    abundantly.     Thou 
knowest  to  what   temptations  they  are  ex- 
posed.    Thou  knowest  how  easily  they  fall  in 
with  the  sinful  ways  of  the  children  of  the 
world  and  how  many  are  overcome  by  temp- 
tation !     We  pray  thee,  therefore,  to  watch 
over  them.     Oh  !  be  thou  with  them  and  en- 
able them  to  see  and  avoid  the  snares  which 
are  laid  for  them  and  the  temptations  which 
beset  their  paths.     Help  them  to  take  heed 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS. 


79 


to  their  ways  according  to  thy  Word.     May 
they  remember  their  Creator  now,  in  the  days 
of  their  youth,  while  the  evil  days  come  not, 
nor  the  years  draw  nigh,  when  they  shall  say, 
we  have  no  pleasure  in  them.     Impress  their 
youthful  minds  with  a  sense  of  the  vanity  of 
all  earthly  pleasures,  and  enable  them  to  feel 
the  exceeding  great  enjoyments  which  flow 
from  heartfelt  communion  with  thee.     Seal 
upon  their  hearts  the  instructions  which  those 
receive  who  attend  the  Sabbath  School,  and 
grant  that  they  may  be  productive  of  great 
good,  bringing  forth  the  rich  fruits  of  repent- 
ance for  sin,  faith  in  Christ  and  a  heartfelt 
consecration  unto  thy  service.     Those  who 
do  not  enjoy  the  privileges  of  Sabbath  School 
instruction,  remember  in  mercy  and  provide 
for  them  the  enjoyment  of* the  same  blessings. 
Bless,  0  Lord,  all  institutions  which  have 
for  their  object  the  spread  of  the  knowledge 
of  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.     Raise  up  many 
who  shall  go  forth  to  preach  Christ  and  him 
crucified  to  a  sinful  and  perishing  world. — 


80  PRAYERS  FOR 

Prosper  the  faithful  preaching  of  the  gospel 
to  the  accomplishment  of  great  good.  Revive 
thy  work  in  the  hearts  of  thy  people,  and 
may  all  who  profess  thy  name  and  who  have 
taken  the  vows  of  the  Lord  upon  themselves, 
see  eye  to  eye,  and  labor  hand  in  hand,  for 
the  advancement  of  thy  cause  upon  earth. — 
Hasten  the  coming  of  thy  kingdom, — of  the 
time  when  there  will  be  but  one  flock  even  as 
there  is  but  one  Shepherd,  and  when  peace 
and  good-will  toward  men  shall  fill  the  whole 
earth,  and  honor,  praise  and  glory  shall  be 
ascribed  to  thee,  the  Lord  God  in  the  highest. 
Hear  us  now,  0,  our  Father,  and  grant  us 
our  requests;  dismiss  us  with  thy  blessing 
and  fill  our  hearts  with  joy  and  peace ;  as- 
sist us  to  discharge  faithfully  all  our  duties, 
and  at  last  save  us  through  the  merits  of 
Christ,  our  Saviour,  who  loved  us  and  gave 
himself  for  us,  and  who  taught  us  to  pray  : 
"Our  Father,"  &c»     Amen. 


PART  SECOND, 


PRAYERS  AND  HYMNS  FOR  WEEK-DAY 
SCHOOLS, 


G-& 


PART    SECOND, 

PRAYERS  AND  HYxMNS  FOR  WEEK-DAY 
SCHOOLS. 


Morning  Prayer  for  ike  Teacher. 

0  Lord,  most  merciful  and  most  gracious^ 
watched  over  by  thy  parental  eye ;  protected 
by  tkine  almighty  arm,  and  spared  by  thy 
goodness,  long-suffering  and  patience,  I  have 
been  permitted  to  behold,  with  my  mortal 
eyes,  the  light  of  this  morning.  I  would  now 
approach  thy  mercy-seat  in  the  name  of  thy 
dear  Son,  my  Saviour  and  Redeemer,  and 
render  thee  thanksgivings  and  praises  for  ail 
the  manifestations  of  thy  love  towards  me,  as 
I  from  day  to  day  experience  them.     Accept, 

0  Lord,  who  art  worthy  to  receive  all  honor, 
glory  and  adoration,  the  sacrifice  of  my  heart, 
and  grant  me  thy  protecting  care  and  guar- 
dianship during  the  trials  of  this  day.    Yfhen 

1  look  back  on  the  days  that  are  past  and 
gone,  I  behold  nothing  but  manifestations  of 


81  PRAYERS  AND  HYMNS  FOR 

thy  goodness  and  love  towards  me.  When 
dangers  surrounded  me,  thou  didst  protect 
me  ;  when  foes  lay  in  wait  for  me,  thou  wast 
my  buckler  and  shield  ;  when  snares  were 
laid  for  my  feet,  thou  didst  lead  me  around 
them ;  and  when  temptations  beset  me  on 
every  side,  thou  wast  always  nigh  to  help  if 
I  but  turned  to  thee  in  prayer.  When  dead 
in  trespasses  and  sin,  thou  didst  send  thine 
own  dear  Son  to  suffer  and  die  that  I  might 
live,  and  when  I,  nevertheless,  continued  to 
follow  after  iniquity,  and  sported  on  the  barren 
mountains  of  sin  and  folly,  thou  didst  send 
thy  good  Spirit  to  seek  me  and  bring  me  back. 
And  oh  I  when  I  returned,  a  penitent  sinner, 
thou  didst  receive  me  with  open  arms,  and 
there  was  joy  before  thy  holy  angels  in  heaven 
over  me,  a  repenting  sinner.  Accept  then, 
0  Lord,  my  feeble  thanks  for  all  thou  hast 
been  and  art  still  doing  for  me ;  and  as  I  am 
still  a  poor  sinner,  often  forgetting  thy  love 
towards  me ;  often  going  astray  and  trans- 
gressing thy  most   holy   commandments   in 


WEEK-DAY  SCHOOLS.  85 

thoughts,  words  and  deeds  :  therefore  I  desire 
to  beseech  thee,  in  the  name  and  for  the  sake 
of  thy  dear  Son,  to  have  mercy  upon  me  and 
to  forgive  all  that  thy  pure  eyes  see  amiss  in 
mj  conduct.  And,  0  my  Father,  I  pray 
thee  for  the  gift  of  thy  good  Spirit.  May 
He  take  up  His  abode  in  my  heart  and  make 
me  thy  child  and  thy  servant  in  deed  and  in 
truth. 

And  now,  0  Lord,  I  desire  also  to  thank 
thee  for  the  sphere  of  usefulness  into  which 
thou  hast  seen  fit  to  call  me.  Truly,  I  have 
a  great  work  to  do.  But,  Lord,  who  is  suf- 
ficient !  Help  me,  I  beseech  thee,  to  feel  my 
own  weakness  and  blindness,  that  I  may  the 
more  earnestly  and  perseveringiy  apply  my- 
self to  the  proper  preparation  for  my  duties. 
Grant  that  I  may  not  rely  on  the  wisdom  and 
strength  of  man,  but  may,  by  prayer,  seek 
true  wisdom  and  strength  from  thee.  Endow 
me  also,  with  that  wisdom  which  maketh 
wise  unto  salvation.  Be  thou  with  me  this 
day.     Give  me  proper  love  and  zeal  for  the 


86  PRATERS  AND  HYMNS  FOR 

faithful  discharge  of  all  my  duties.  Make 
me  mild  but  firm,  and  enable  me  to  govern 
more  by  love  than  fear.  Grant  me  grace 
that  I  may  teach,  not  only  by  word  and  pre- 
cept, but  especially  by  example.  May  my 
looks  and  my  actions;  my  words  and  my 
deeds,  continually  testify  to  my  scholars  that 
I  walk  before  thee  and  serve  thee. 

Make  my  scholars  obedient  and  diligent, 
Help  them  duly  to  appreciate  the  value  of 
time ;  the  preciousness  of  their  youthful  days 
and  years,  and  enable  them  to  lay  up  a  rich 
fund  of  useful  knowledge  for  days  and  years 
to  come. 

And,  Lord,  most  of  all,  dwell  thou  in  their 
hearts  by  thy  Holy  Spirit  and  teach  them  to 
seek  better  things  than  this  world  can  afford ; 
to  lay  up  treasures  in  heaven,  and  to  choose 
that  good  thing  which  shall  not  be  taken  from 
them.  Prepare  them  by  thy  grace  to  become 
useful  members  of  society  and  of  the  State? 
but  above  all  of  thy  church. 

And  now  Lord,  be  with  me  this  day.     May 


WEEK-DAY  SCHOOLS.  87 

my  strength  be  sufficient  for  its  trials  and 
temptations.  Forsake  me  never.  Be  with 
all  others  who  shall  engage  in  the  same  duties 
with  me.  Bless  abundantly  the  labors  of  our 
hands  to  thy  honor  and  glory.  Hear  me  and 
be  with  me ;  bless  and  at  last  save  me  for 
my  Redeemer's  sake.     Amen. 


Evening  Prayer  for  the  Teacher. 

Gracious  Father,  as  I  live  to  see  the  end 
of  this  day  and  have  enjoyed  thy  favor  and 
blessings  whilst  it  lasted,  I  desire  now,  in  this 
evening  hour,  to  appear  before  thee  for  the 
purpose  of  rendering  thee  my  thanksgivings 
and  praises,  for  all  thou  hast  done  for  me, 
both  in  body  and  in  soul.  Thou  hast  been 
with  me  and  hast  given  me  strength  and  en- 
ergy of  body  and  of  mind  to  carry  me  through 
the  duties  which  my  office  imposes  upon  me, 
and  hast  brought  me  to  this  moment  in  the 
enjoyment  of  good  health  and  many  other 


88  PRAYERS  AND  HYMNS  FOR 

favors  and  blessings.  Accept  my  humble 
thanks,  0  Lord,  for  all  the  favors  bestowed 
upon  me  thine  unworthy  servant.  And  as 
this  day  passed  not  by  without  manifold  short- 
comings and  failings  on  my  part,  I  would 
humbly  beseech  thee,  in  the  name  of  Christ, 
to  grant  me  true  and  heartfelt  repentance  for 
all  that  I  have  done  amiss,  and  for  all  omis- 
sions of  duty  towards  thee  and  towards  my 
fellow-men.  Pardon  me,  I  beseech  thee,  and 
bestow  upon  me  the  gift  of  thy  Holy  Spirit, 
to  renew  me  more  and  more  in  the  inner  man 
into  the  image  of  my  blessed  Saviour  and  Re- 
deemer. Strengthen  my  faith,  and  enable 
me,  more  and  more,  to  look  away  from  all 
earthly  things  and  to  set  my  affections  upon 
things  spiritual  and  eternal  in  heaven. 

And  now,  0  Lord,  I  beseech  thee  to  bestow 
thy  rich  blessing  upon  the  labors  in  which  I 
have  this  day  been  engaged.  So  far  as  they 
are  in  accordance  with  thy  holy  will,  do  thou 
own  and  prosper  them  to  the  good  of  those 
upon  whom  they  have  been  bestowed.     What- 


WEEK-DAY  SCHOOLS.  89 

ever  has  been  done  amiss  do  thou  blot  out 
that  it  may  not  produce  any  pernicious  fruit. 

Bless,  I  pray  thee  all  the  children  that 
visit  my  school,  from  day  to  day.  Graciously 
watch  over  them  for  good,  and  enable  them, 
in  the  morning  of  life  already,  to  yield  their 
young  and  tender  hearts  to  thee.  By  the 
power  and  influence  J7of  thy  Holy  Spirit 
change  their  hearts  and  make  them  thine  own 
children,  "  born,  not  of  blood,  nor  of  the  will 
of  the  flesh,  nor  of  the  will  of  man ;  but  of 
God."  Make  them  bright  and  shining  lights 
in  thy  church ;  giving  light  unto  those  that 
are  without  and  dispelling  the  night  of  igno- 
rance and  sin  around  them.  Make  them  the 
salt  of  the  earth,  preserving  the  mass  from 
corruption,  and  cities  set  upon  hills,  that  may 
be  seen  from  afar  off.  May  they  let  their 
light  so  shine  before  men,  that  they,  seeing 
their  good  works,  may  glorify  thee,  the  Fa- 
ther of  lights  in  heaven. 

Bless  the  parents  of  these  children  and  en- 
able  them  faithfully  to  discharge  all  their 


90  PRAYERS  AND  HYMNS  FOR 

duties  towards  them,  bringing  them  up  in  the 
nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord. 

And  now,  Lord,  be  with  me,  my  scholars 
and  all  others  during  the  silent  watches  of  this 
night.  When  darkness  hangs  over  the  face 
of  the  earth,  let  thine  all-seeing  eye  watch 
over  us,  and  thine  all-powerful  arm  be  stretch- 
ed out  for  our  safety  and  protection.  I  com- 
mit and  commend  myself  and  all  others  into 
thy  guardian  care  and  keeping.  Be  ever  near 
us ;  especially  be  with  the  sick  and  afflicted ; 
the  poor  and  needy  ;  widows  and  orphans  and 
all  others  who  are  in  distress.  Feed  the 
hungry ;  clothe  the  naked ;  shelter  the  house- 
less and  homeless ;  comfort  the  afflicted,  and 
console  the  sorrowful.  Have  mercy  upon  all 
unrepenting  sinners  and  draw  them  by  thy 
spirt  unto  Christ  the  aLamb  of  God,"  that 
their  sins  may  be  taken  away.  Hear  me  now, 
0  Lord,  for  the  sake  of  Christ  my  Saviour 
and  Redeemer,  unto  whom  with  thee,  the 
Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost  be  present  and 
everlasting  praises.     Amen. 


WEEK-DAY  SCHOOLS,  91 

PRAYERS  AND  HYMNS  FOR  OPENING  AND  CLOS- 
ING SCHOOLS. 

Monday  Morning. 
Merciful  God  and  Father,  in  thy  good 
providence  we  are  again  permitted  to  meet  as 
a  school,  on  this,  the  first  day  of  labor  in  the 
week.  Thou  hast  graciously  watched  over  us 
since  we  parted  with  each  other  last,  and  hast 
kept  us  from  harm  and  from  danger  in  many 
shapes  and  forms.  0  Lord,  help  us  to  feel 
the  greatness  of  thy  loving  kindness  and  ten- 
der mercies  to-us-ward ;  help  us  to  feel  how 
tenderly  thou  dost  love  us,  and  how  greatly 
thou  dost  bless  us  from  day  to  day.  Enable 
us  to  feel  truly  grateful  towards  thee  for  all 
these  favors ;  and  may  a  sense  of  thy  good- 
ness lead  us  to  heartfelt  and  unfeigned  re- 
pentance for  all  our  short-comings  and  sins. 
Above  all,  heavenly  Father,  help  us  to  feel 
truly  grateful  for  the  gift  of  thine  own,  dearly 
beloved  Son  to  be  our  Saviour  and  our  Re- 
deemer ;  for  all  that  he  did  and  suffered  for  us 
while  on  earth,  and  for  all  he  is  now  doing  for 


92  PRAYERS  AND  HYMNS  FOR 

us  in  heaven.  And  may  our  gratitude  be  ex- 
pressed by  a  free  and  full  giving  up  of  our 
hearts  to  be  his,  in  order  to  love  and  serve 
him  all  the  days  of  our  life.  Help  us  to  feel 
our  own  weakness  and  misery  more  and  more ; 
draw  us  away  from  the  earth  and  earthly 
things,  and  enable  us  to  hold  communion  with 
spiritual  things  and  become  thus  fitted  for  the 
enjoymment  of  thy  presence  in  heaven. 

Thou,  0  Lord,  hast  bestowed  upon  us  im- 
mortal minds,  by  which  we  may  know  the 
works  of  thy  hand,  and  thee  the  Giver  of  every 
good  and  perfect  gift.  We  are  now  assembled 
for  the  purpose  of  training  and  improving  our 
minds;  for  the  purpose  of  preparation  for 
activity  and  usefulness  in  days  to  come.  But 
Lord,  we  feel  that  we  are  poor  and  needy, 
weak  and  blind,  and  that,  of  ourselves,  we 
can  do  nothing.  We  come  to  thee,  who  art 
always  able  and  willing  to  help  those  who  call 
upon  thee  in  sincerity  and  truth,  and  humbly 
beseech  thee  to  be  with  us  throughout  the 
hours  of  this  day.     Influence   our  hearts  by 


WEEK-DAY  SCHOOLS.  93 

the  presence  of  thy  Holy  Spirit,  and  enable 
us  to  spend  this  day  together  in  peace  and 
harmony  and  with  profit  to  ourselves  and 
others.  Teach  us  by  thy  wisdom  and  counsel, 
that  we  may  become  wise  unto  salvation.  En- 
able us  to  look  forward,  to  future  days  and 
years,  with  strong  desires  and  resolutions,  by 
thy  grace,  to  do  good  to  our  fellow  men  and 
to  live  and  labor  for  thy  honor  and  glory. 

Prosper  now,  0  Lord,  the  labors  of  our 
hands.  Preserve  us  from  sin.  Be  with  us 
in  all  our  ways  and  lead  us  into  the  way  ever- 
lasting. Make  us  all  useful  members  of 
society,  but  especially  of  thy  church.  May 
we  all  become  shining  lights  in  the  world,  dis- 
pelling the  darkness  of  ignorance  and  sin 
around  us.  Prosper  the  cause  of  christian 
education  and  bless  each  and  every  one  that 
labors  in  and  for  it.  Build  up  thy  kingdom 
in  the  world  and  reign  supreme  in  the  hearts 
of  all. 

Hear  us  now,  0  Lord ;  forgive  all  our  sins 
and  save  us,  finally,  for  our  Redeemer's  sake. 
Amen, 


04  PRAYERS  AND  HYMNS  FOR 

HYMN. 

Children's  Prayer.     T's. 

1.  Gracious  Lord  we  look  to  thee, 
Meek  and  humble  may  we  be ; 
Pride  and  anger  put  away, 
Make  us  better  every  day, 

2.  Teach  us  for  our  friends  to  pray, 
And  our  parents  to  obey ; 
Richest  blessings  from  above, 
Give  them  for  their  tender  love. 

8.  May  we  find  the  sweets  of  prayer 
Sweeter  than  our  pastimes  are; 
Love  the  Sabbath  and  the  place 
Where  we  learn  to  seek  thy  face. 


Monday  Evening. 

Lord  our  God,  at  the  close  of  our  labors 
for  this  day,  we  would  humbly  -draw  nigh 
unto  thee  to  thank  thee  for  the  favors  and 
blessings  we  enjoyed  since  the  dawn  of  this 
morning's  light.  Thou  hast  been  with  us, 
Lord,  and  hast  blest  us  with  many  and  great 
privileges.     Thou  hast  watched  over  us  and 


WEEK-DAY  SCHOOLS.  95 

hast  shielded  us  from  harm  and  danger,  and 
now,  as  we  are  about  to  depart  from  this  place, 
it  is  meet  for  us  to  acknowledge  thy  goodness 
as  we  experienced  it  during  the  hours  of  this 
day.  Help  us,  we  pray  thee,  rightly  to  un- 
derstand how  great  our  favors  are,  and  may  a 
sense  of  thy  love  towards  us  lead  us  to  give 
our  hearts  to  thee,  to  love  and  serve  thee  all 
the  days  of  our  life.  May  we  truly  feel  that 
we  are  not  our  own,  but  belong  to  our  blessed 
Lord  and  Saviour,  Jesus  Christ,  who  loved  us 
and  gave  himself  for  us.  May  we  never  for- 
get that  we  were  purchased  with  a  great 
price,  even  the  life  of  our  dear  Saviour. 
Now  Lord,  we  beseech  thee  to  crown  with  thy 
blessing  the  labors  of  our  hands  for  this  day, 
so  far  as  they  may  be  according  to  thine  own 
holy  will.  May  it  not  have  been  in  vain  that 
we  spent  the  hours  of  this  day  together  as  a 
school,  but  may  much  good  be  produced  by  it. 
Whatever  has  been  done  that  may  conflict 
with  thy  righteous  will,  do  thou  graciously 
blot  out  and  prevent  it  from  bearing  fruit. 


96  PRAYERS  AND  HYMNS  FOR 

And  now,  as  we  are  about  to  part  with  each 
other,  we  beseech  thee  to  go  with  us  to  our 
homes.  Abide  with  us  where  me  may  abide, 
and  lead  us  continually  in  thine  own  ways 
that  we  may  not  go  astray.  During  the  night 
that  is  before  us,  do  thou  mercifully  watch 
over  us ;  keep  us  from  all  harm  and  danger ; 
grant  us  sweet  and  refreshing  sleep,  and  in 
the  morning  raise  us  up  again  to  behold  the 
light  of  to-morrow's  sun  and  to  praise  and 
glorify  thy  name.  Bless,  also,  all  our  fellow 
creatures  upon  the  face  of  the  whole  earth. 
Regard  in  much  mercy  the  poor  and  the 
needy;  provide  for  all  their  wants;  feed  and 
clothe  them  that  they  may  not  suffer.  Be 
with  the  sick  and  those  who  walk  in  the 
valley  of  the  shadow  of  death.  Prepare  us  all 
for  our  last  moments,  and  when  death  comes 
enable  us  to  depart  in  peace  and  be  with  Jesus. 
To  this  end  grant  us,  and  by  thy  Spirit  work 
in  us,  true  and  heartfelt  repentance  for  all  our 
short-comings  and  sins,  and  pardon  us  graci- 
ously, for  the  sake  of  thine  own  dear  Son  our 


WEEK-DAY  SCHOOLS.  97 

Saviour,  through  whom  we  hope  to  enter  hea 
ven  and  be  with  thee  for  ever.     Hear  us  now, 
O  Lord,  for  the  sake  of  Christ,  who  taught 
us  to  pray:  "  Our  Father,"  &c.     Amen. 


HYMN. 

The  Sappy  Land.     6's,  4's. 

There  is  a  happy  land, 

Far,  far  away, 
Where  saints  in  glory  stand, 

Bright,  bright  as  day. 
0  how  they  sweetly  sing, 
"Worthy  is  our  Saviour-King; 
Loud  let  his  praises  ring ; 

Praise,  praise  for  aye." 

Come  to  that  happy  land, 
Come,  come  come  away; 

Why  will  ye  doubting  stand, 
Why  still  delay? 

0,  we  shall  happy  be, 

When  from  sin  and  sorrow  free, 

Lord,  we  shall  live  with  thee ; 
Blest,  blest  for  aye. 

D-l. 


98  PHAYEKS  AND  HYMNS  JOM 

3.  Bright,  in  that  happy  land, 

Beams  every  eye; 
Kept  by  a  Father's  hand, 

Love  cannot  die. 
0,  then  to  glory  rim, 
Be  a  crown  and  kingdom  won 
And  bright,  above  the  sun, 

We  reign  for  aye. 


Tuesday  Morning, 

Our  Father,  who  art  in  heaven,  we  come  be- 
fore thee  this  morning  and  desire  to  thank  thee 
for  thy  protection  during  the  past  night  and 
the  light  of  this  morning.  Surely  thou  wast 
with  us  and  hast  kept  us.  When  darkness 
surrounded  and  unseen  dangers  beset  us,  thine 
almighty  arm  was  outstretched  for  our  safety. 
Thou  art  love,  and  thy  love  has  been  mani- 
fested towards  us,  ever  since  we  have  our 
being.  This  morning,  again,  we  see  and  feel 
that  thou  art  still  a  God  of  love.  But  we 
are  truly,  most  unworthy  creatures.  We  make 
not  the  proper  use  of  all  the  blessings  we  re- 


WEEK-DAY  SCHOOLS.  99 

Ceive  at  thy  hands.  Often  whilst  we  partake 
of  thy  gifts,  we  forget  thee,  the  bountiful  Giv- 
er !  Often  we  do  what  thou  hatest  and  leave 
undone  what  thou  lovest,  and  willst  that  we 
should  do !  But  We  pray  thee,  0  Lord,  to 
forgive  us,  for  the  sake  of  thine  own  dear  Son, 
our  Saviour.  Pardon  all  our  sins  and  restore 
us  unto  thy  favor.  Pour  out  thy  Spirit  into 
our  hearts  that  he  may  teach  us  to  love  thee 
and  to  give  our  hearts  to  thee. 

0  blessed  Saviour,  we  look  to  thee  for  help. 
Thou  wast  so  meek  and  lowly  upon  earth,  and 
didst  invite  the  poor  and  needy  to  come  unto 
thee.  We  are  poor  and  needy.  We  desire 
to  seek  thy  face.  Thou  art  the  light  of  the 
world,  but  we  are  full  of  darkness.  Oh,  let 
thy  light  fill  our  souls  that  we  may  know  thee 
aright ;  that  we  may  also  become  lights  in  the 
world,  giving  light  to  those  who  sit  in  the 
shadow  and  darkness  of  ignorance  and  sin. 

And  thou,  Holy  Spirit,  the  Comforter, 
come,  fill  our  hearts  and  make  us  good  and 
faithful  children   of    our   heavenly    Father. 


100      PRAYERS  AND  HYMNS  FOR 

Dwell  in  our  hearts  and  make  us  temples  of 
the  living  God. 

Help  us,  0  Lord,  to  spend  this  day  in  a 
proper  and,  to  thee,  acceptable  manner.  May 
we  store  our  minds  with  knowledge  for  future 
usefulness  that  we  may  do  good  unto  our  fel- 
low-men, and  faithfully  fulfill  our  mission  in 
this  world.  Be  with  us  while  we  are  together. 
Prevent  us  from  sinning  against  thee.  Keep 
us  from  harm  and  danger.  Prosper  the  labors 
of  our  hands  and  establish  them  upon  us  for 
good.  Continue  with  us  to  the  end  and  then 
take  us  unto  thyself  in  heaven  through  riches 
of  grace  in  Christ,  to  whom,  with  thee,  the 
Pather  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  be  present  and 
unceasing  praises  in  a  world  without  end, 
Amen. 

HYMN. 

"I  Must  Die."     V%. 
1.  I  am  young,  but  I  must  die  : 
In  my  grave  I  soon  shall  lie : 
Am  I  ready  now  to  go, 
If  the  will  of  God  be  so  ? 


WEEK-DAY  SCHOOLS.  101 

2.  Lord,  prepare  me  for  my  end, 
To  my  heart  thy  spirit  send ; 
Help  me,  Jesus,  thee  to  love, 
Take  my  soul  to  heaven  above. 


Then  I  shall  with  Jesus  be, 
Then  I  shall  my  Saviour  see ; 
Never  more  have  any  pain, 
Never  more  shall  sin  again. 


Tuesday  Evening. 

Lord  our  God,  the  time  for  departing  from 
this  place  has  come,  but  before  we  go  hence 
we  would  come  to  thee  in  prayer.  Oh,  cast 
us  not  away  from  thy  presence  and  take  not 
thy  good  and  Holy  Spirit  from  us.  Lend  a 
listening  ear  unto  our  prayers  and  graciously 
hear  us  when  we  cry  unto  thee. 

In  thy  good  providence  we  have  been  spared 
until  this  moment,  and  have  received  renewed 
tokens  of  thy  love  during  the  hours  of  this 
day.  Accept  now,  0  Lord,  we  pray  thee, 
our  feeble  thanks  for  thy  love  and  kindness 
towards  us.     Help  us  to  love  thee  in  return 


102  PRAYERS  AND  HYMNS  FOR 

and  to  seek  to  do  thy  rightous  and  holy  will 
in  all  things.  Pardon,  graciously,  everything 
thine  all-seeing  eye  may  have  seen  amiss  in 
our  conduct  and  bestow  thy  rich  blessing  upon 
the  labors  of  our  hands.  Prepare  us  for 
much  usefulness  in  our  day,  that  much  good 
may  be  done  by  us  as  thine  instruments. 
Help  us  to  regard  ourselves  as  belonging  unto 
thee,  with  all  that  we  have  and  are.  May 
we  employ  the  talents-  thou  dost  give  us, 
faithfully  in  thy  service,  in  order  that,  when 
Christ  will  come  to  hold  reckoning  with  us, 
we  may  be  able,  like  good  stewards,  to  give  a 
good  account  of  our  stewardship. 

And  now,  Lord,  we  beseech  thee  to  dismiss 
us  with  thy  blessing.  Go  with  us  to  our 
homes  and  watch  over  us  during  the  silent 
hours  of  the  night.  When  darkness  hangs 
over  the  face  of  the  earth,  let  the  light  of 
thy  truth  fill  and  enlighten  our  minds  and  our 
souls.  Be  atj peace  with  us,  our  Father,  for 
the  sake  of  our  Saviour  and  Redeemer,  Jesus 
Christ.     Enable  us  to  trust   in  thee,  all   the 


WEEK-DAY  SCHOOLS.  108 

days  of  our  earthly  existence.  Strengthen 
our  faith  and  enable  us  to  walk  by  faith  and 
not  by  sight.  Help  us  to  keep  continually 
before  our  minds  the  great  fact  that  we  must 
die  and  that  we  are  never  too  young  for  the 
grave.  Oh,  may  we  not  put  off  the  work  of 
preparation  for  death  and  eternity,  but  may 
we  seek,  by  thy  grace,  so  to  live  as  we  will 
wish  we  had  lived,  when  death  comes.  May 
we  live  in  thy  fear  and  thy  service  until  our 
end  come,  and  then  die  in  peace  with  our  Grod 
through  Christ  our  Saviour,  who  has  taught 
us  to  pray:  "  Our  Father,"  &c.     Amen. 

HYMN. 
Grod  Hears  Children's  Prayers.     L.  M. 

1,  God  is  so  good  that  he  will  hear, 

Whenever  children  humbly  pray ; 
He  always  lends  a  gracious  ear 

To  what  the  youngest  child  can  say« 

2.  His  own  most  holy  book  declares, 

He  loves  good  little  children  still, 
And  that  he  listens  to  their  prayers  * 

Just  as  a  tender  Father  will. 


104  PRATERS  AND  HTMNS  FOR 

3.  He  loves  to  hear  an  infant  tongue 

Thank  him  for  all  his  mercies  given ; 
And  when  by  babes  his  praise  is  sung, 
Their  cheerful  songs  are  heard  in 
heaven. 

4.  Come  then,  dear  children,  trust  his  word, 

And  seek  him  for  your  friend  and  guide ; 
Your  little  voices  shall  be  heard, 
And  you  will  never  be  denied. 


Wednesday  Morning. 

Give  ear  to  our  words,  0  Lord ;  consider 
our  meditations.  _  Hearken  unto  the  voice  of 
our  cry,  our  King  and  our  God ;  for  unto  thee 
will  we  pray.  Our  voice  shalt  thou  hear  in 
the  morning,  0  Lord,  in  the  morning  will  we 
direct  our  prayers  unto  thee  and  will  look  up. 

0  thou  faithful  God  and  Father,  we  desire 
to  make  known  thy  loving  kindness  and  ten- 
der mercies  in  this  morning  hour,  and  to  praise 
thee  for  thy  protection  and  care  during  the 
night  that  is  now  past  and  gone.  Thou  wast 
with  us  and  didst  graciously  watch  over  us 


WEEK-DAY  SCHOOLS.  105 

whilst  we  lay  helpless  in  the  embrace  of  sleep. 
Thou  hast  refreshed  us  by  the  sleep  of  the 
night  and  hast  raised  us  up  to  behold  the  light 
of  this  morning  in  the  enjoyment  of  good 
health  and  strength.  We  are  also  surround- 
ed by  many  other  comforts,  for  which,  and 
for  all  other  favors,  we  would  humbly  thank 
thee  at  this  time.  We  would,  above  all, 
thank  thee  that  we  can  this  morning  approach 
thee  in  the  name  of  Christ  our  Advocate  and 
Intercessor  at  thy  right  hand,  to  make  known 
unto  thee  the  desires  of  our  hearts. 
•  And  now,  0  Lord,  as  we  have  met  for  the 
purpose  of  preparing  ourselves  for  usefulness 
in  after  life,  we  pray  thee  to  be  with  us  dur- 
ing this  day.  Help  us  to  spend  all  its  mo- 
ments profitably  to  ourselves  and  to  others. 
Keep  us,  graciously,  from  sinning  against 
thee.  Banish  from  our  minds  all  evil  and 
sinful  thoughts,  and  from  our  hearts  all  sinful 
wishes  and  desires.  Help  us  to  dwell  to- 
gether in  love,  and  to  seek  each  other's  happi- 
ness in  all  our  intercourse  wich  each  other, 


106  PRAYERS  AND  HYMNS  FOR 

Make  us  industrious  and  diligent  in  all  our 
duties,  that  we  may  not  spend  any  of  the 
precious  moments  of  this  day  in  idleness, 
much  less  in  doing  evil.  Prosper  the  labors 
of  our  hands,  and  bless  them  to  our  good  and 
thy  glory.  Raise  up  many  who  shall  become 
faithful  witnesses  to  and  defenders  of  thy 
truth.  Bless  all  institutions  of  learning  and 
those  who  preside  over  them.  Destroy  all 
ignorance  and  sin,  and  let  the  lamp  of  thy 
truth  enlighten  the  minds  and  hearts  of  all 
sinners. 

And  now,  Lord,  we  wait  for  thy  presence 
and  blessing.  Forsake  us  not  but  abide  with 
us,  even  in  our  hearts,  by  thy  good  and  Holy 
Spirit,  that  we  may  be  thy  true  and  faithful 
children,  loving  and  serving  thee  with  all  our 
hearts.  Hear  us,  Lord,  and  answer  and 
bless,  for  Christ's  sake,  and  all  honor,  glory 
and  praise  shall  be  unto  thee,  the  Father, 
Son  and  Holy  Ghost,  for  ever  and  ever. 
Amen. 


WEEK-DAY  SCHOOLS.  107 

HYMN. 

The  G-ood  Shepherd.     &s,  TV, 

1.  Jesus  says  that  we  raust  love  Him, 

Helpless  -as  the  lambs  are  we ; 
But  he  very  kindly  tells  us 
That  our  shepherd  He  will  be. 

2.  Heavenly  Shepherd,  please  to  watch  us, 

Guard  us  both  by  night  and  day ; 
Pity  show  to  little  children, 

Who,  like  lambs,  too  often  stray. 

3.  We  are  always  prone  to  wander, 

Please  to  keep  us  from  each  snare ; 
Teach  our  infant  hearts  to  praise  thee, 
For  thy  kindness  and  thy  care. 


Wednesday   Evening. 

Our  Father,  the  day  is  drawing  towards  its 
close ;  the  shadows  of  evening  are  coming  on 
and  we  must  leave  this  place.  But  before 
we  depart  hence  we  would  render  unto  thee 
our  thanks  for  the  blessings  this  day  brought 
with  itself.  We  thank  thee  that  we  have 
been  able  to  meet  here  for   the  purpose  of 


108  PRAYERS  AND  HYMNS  FOR 

cultivating  our  minds  for  future  usefulness, 
and  we  pray  thee  to  bestow  thy  rich  blessing 
upon  the  labors  of  our  hands  for  this  day. 
Help  us,  Lord,  to  devote  all  our  talents  and 
our  knowledge  to  thy  good  and  holy  service. 
As  our  minds  grow  in  knowledge  so  let  our 
hearts  grow  in  grace  and  holiness,  in  order 
that  we  may  be  able  to  turn  all  we  learn  to  a 
good  and  proper  use.  Send  thy  good  and 
Holy  Spirit  into  our  hearts  that  he  may  teach 
us  heavenly  wisdom ;  that  he  may  take  of 
the  things  of  Jesus  and  may  show  them  unto 
us  to  the  end  that  we  may  learn  to  see  and 
know  how  good  it  is  to  love  and  serve  the 
Lord. 

Forgive  Lord,  all  that  we  have  done  amiss 
during  the  past  day  and  our  past  lives.  0, 
for  the  sake  of  thine  own  dear  Son,  have 
mercy  upon  us  and  pardon  all  our  sins.  Re- 
new us  by  thy  Spirit,  more  and  more  from 
day  to  day.  Create  in  us  clean  hearts,  0 
God,  and  renew  right  spirits  within  us.  Help 
us  first  to  seek  thy  kingdom  and  thy  right- 


WEEK-DAY  SCHOOLS.  109 

eousness,  and  all  other  things  shall  be  added 
unto  us. 

Bless  with  us  all  others,  0  Lord.  Remem- 
ber in  much  mercy  all  who  suffer  from  want 
and  neglect.  Raise  up  friends  to  the  poor 
who  may  supply  their  wants.  Open  the 
hearts  and  hands  of  those  whom  thou  hast 
blest  with  an  abundance  of  this  world's  goods, 
that  they  may  assist  those  who  are  poor  and 
needy.  May  we  also  remember  that  "  bless- 
ed is  the  man  who  considereth  the  poor." 
Be  with  the  sick  and  afflicted ;  comfort  them 
in  their  distresses,,  and  enable  them  to  stay 
their  hearts  on  thee. 

And  now,  0  Lord,  dismiss  us  with  thy 
blessing  ;  go  with  us  to  our  places  of  abode, 
and  ever  lead  us  in  the  way  thou  wilt  have  us 
to  go.  Preserve  us  graciously  from  all  sin. 
Watch  over  us  during  the  coming  night ;  pro- 
tect us  against  harm  and  danger ;  grant  us 
refreshing  sleep,  and  in  the  morning  raise  us 
up  in  the  enjoyment  of  good  health  and 
strength.     Should  the  hour  of  death,  to  any 


110  PRAYERS  AND  HYMNS  £OE 

of  us,  come  during  the  night,  0,  then  help 
us  to  yield  our  souls  into  thy  hands,  and  re- 
ceive us  through  Christ  our  Redeemer,  who 
has  taught  us  to  pray,  "  Our  Father,"  &c. 
Amen. 


HYMN. 

Worth  of  the  Scriptures.     Ts. 

1.  Holy  Bible,  book  divine  ; 

Precious  treasure,  thou  art  mine  ; 
Mine  to  tell  me  whence  I  came, 
Mine,  to  teach  me  what  I  am. 

2.  Mine,  to  chide  me  when  I  rove  ; 

Mine,  to  show  a  Saviour's  love ; 
Mine  art  thou,  to  guide  my  youth 
In  the  paths  of  love  and  truth. 

3.  Mine,  to  comfort  in  distress, 

If  the  Holy  Spirit  bless ; 
Mine,  to  show  by  living  faith 
Man  can  triumph  over  death. 

4.  Mine,  to  tell  of  joys  to  come, 

And  the  sinner's  dreadful  doom  ; 
0,  thou  precious  book  divine  ; 
Precious  treasure,  thou  art  mine, 


WEEK-BAt  SCHOOLS.  Ill 

Thursday  Morning. 

0  Lord,  our  God  and  Father,  we  desire  to 
give  thee  thanks  in  this  morning  hour  for  thy 
protection  during  the  last  night,  and  for  the 
light  of  this  day.  We  laid  ourselves  clown, 
and  closed  our  eyes  in  sleep,  but  thy  never- 
sleeping  eye  watched  over  us,  and  thine  al- 
mighty arm  protected  us.  No  evil  came  nigh 
our  dwelling,  because  thy  holy  angels  guard- 
ed it.  And  now,  Lord,  we  stand  before  thee 
as  living  witnesses  to  thy  goodness,  loving- 
kindness  and  tender  mercies.  How  many  of 
our  fellow-men,  who  likewise  retired  to  rest 
in  the  enjoyment  of  good  health,  have  not 
lived  to  see  the  sweet  light  of  this  morning's 
sun  !  How  many  passed  the  night  in  pains 
of  body  and  anguish  of  soul,  whilst  we  slept 
peaceably,  and  arose  to  see  all  our  wants  sup- 
plied. Lord,  make  us  truly  thankful  for 
these  favors,  and  may  we  be  led  to  give  our- 
selves up  to  be  thine,  and  to  love  thee,  the 
Lord  our  God,  with  all  our  heart,  with  all 
our  soul,  with  all  our  mind  and  with  all  our 


112      PRAYERS  AND  HYMNS  FOR 

strength ;  to  praise  and  magnify  thee  in  all 
our  thoughts,  words  and  deeds. 

Accept  also  our  humble  thanks  for  the 
privilege  of  meeting  again  as  scholars  and 
teacher,  and  help  us  to  spend  this  day  in  such 
a  manner  as  may  be  most  profitable  to  us,  and 
may  best  promote  thy  honor  and  glory  and 
the  welfare  of  our  fellow-men.  Fill  our 
hearts  with  love,  0  thou  fountain  of  all  love, 
and  enable  us  truly  to  love  thee  and  each 
other.  By  nature  we  are  full  of  evil ;  do 
thou  then  renew  us  by  the  power  of  thy  Spir- 
it, and  make  us  thy  children  in  deed  and  in 
truth,  having  the  Spirit  of  adoption  in  our 
hearts  whereby  we  may  cry  "  Abba  Father." 

Be  with  us  this  day,  0  Lord.  Prepare  us 
for  the  proper  discharge  of  all  our  duties. 
May  we  dwell  together  in  peace  and  harmo- 
ny, and  seek  to  do  good  unto  all.  And  as 
all  our  efforts  to  store  our  minds  with  useful 
knowledge  without  thy  blessing  must  be  fruit- 
less, we  would  beseech  thee  to  crown  with 
success  the  feeble  efforts  to  this  end  which 
we  may  this  day  put  forth.     Prosper  greatly 


WEEK-DAY  SCHOOLS.  113 

the  labors  of  our  hands,  and  may  all  that  is 
here  taught  and  learned  be  employed  in  thy 
holy  service.  May  we  all  become  instru- 
ments for  doing  thy  holy  will,  and  bringing 
about  the  coming  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom, 
—when  thy  will  shall  be  done  on  earth  as  it 
is  done  in  heaven. 

Bless  all,  0  Lord,  who  stand  connected 
with  us,  whether  by  ties  of  kindred  or  other- 
wise. Bless  the  cause  of  education  through- 
out the  world,  and  make  it  such  as  it  should 
be.  May  we  not  forget  thy  name  whilst  we 
prepare  for  the  duties  of  life.  Oh,  be  thou 
the  source  of  all  our  wisdom,  and  grant  that 
we  may  ascribe  unto  thee,  one  God  in  three 
persons,  all  honor,  praise  and  glory,  for  ever 
and  ever.     Amen, 

HYMN. 

Children  Come.     7's. 
1.  Hark  !  a  tender  Saviour  speaks, 
And  the  lonely  silence  breaks  ; 
"Little  children,  come  to  me, 
I  will  your  Redeemer  be," 

D-2. 


114  PRAYERS  AND  HYMNS  FOE 

2.  You  I'll  save  from  ev'ry  ill, 

And  will  be  your  guardian  still ; 
I  will  raise  you  to  the  skies, 
Where  the  spirit  never  dies* 

3.  I  will  lift  you  to  my  throne, 

And  confess  you  as  my  own ; 
Come  then,  children,  come  and  see, 
What  a  Saviour  I  will  be." 


Thursday  Evening. 

Our  Father,  who  art  in  heaven,  in  the 
name  of  Christ  do  we  desire  to  come  before 
thee,  at  the  close  of  our  labors  for  to-day. 
We  would  thank  thee  for  the  kind  watch  thou 
hast  kept  over  us  whilst  we  were  assembled 
under  this  roof.  We  bless  thee  for  all  the 
innocent  joys  of  which  we  partook  since  the 
morning  sun  rose  upon  us.  Thou  hast  given 
us  our  daily  bread,  and  hast  clothed  us  with 
warm  raiment,  and  hast  permitted  us  to  spend 
the  hours  of  this  day  in  the  pursuit  of  such 
knowledge  as  will  fit  'and  qualify  us  for  use- 
fulness in  days  to  come.     We  feel  that  thou 


Week-day  schools.  115 

hast  highly  favored  us  in  providing  for  us 
such  means  of  education  as  we  enjoy.  But 
above  all,  heavenly  Father,  do  we  owe  thee 
love  and  gratitude  for  what  thou  hast  done 
for  our  immortal  souls.  For  the  gift  of  thine 
own  dear  Son,  who  loved  us  and  saved  us 
from  our  sins.  Help  us,  we  pray  thee,  to 
feel  the  true  value  of  this  gift.  May  we  feel 
the  awful  misery  into  which  sin  has  plunged 
us,  in  order  that  we  may  flee  unto  Christ  to 
be  saved  from  it.  Help  us  to  feel  the  power 
of  his  blood  in  our  hearts,  and  grant  that 
each  of  us  may  become  personally  acquainted 
with  Him,  and  be  able  to  say:  "Lord,  unto 
whom  shall  I  go?  Thou  hast  the  words  of 
eternal  life.  And  I  believe  and  am  sure  that 
thou  art  the  Christ,  the  son  of  the  living 
God."  Renew  us  by  thy  good  Spirit ;  help 
us  to  die  unto  sin  and  to  live  unto  Christ,  and 
be  thus  prepared  to  dwell  with  thee  forever. 

And  now,  as  the  evening  is  coming  on  and 
the  night  is  making  haste  to  overtake  us,  we 
ask  thee,  0  Lord,  to  be  with  us.     Dismiss  us 


116  PRAYERS  AND  HYMNS  FOR 

with  tli j  blessing.  Go  with  us,  and  during 
the  approaching  night,  watch  over  us.  Bless 
all  our  dear  friends,  especially,  parents,  bro- 
thers and  sisters.  Be  with  the  sick  and  the 
dying  ;  visit  the  poor  and  the  needy  ;  com- 
fort the  widows  and  orphans.  Extend  thy 
gracious  help  to  all  such  as  are  in  perils  and 
dangers  by  sea  and  by  land.  Turn  sinners 
from  the  error  of  their  ways  unto  thee,  the 
living  and  true  God.  Bless  thy  church  eve- 
rywhere. Bless  those  who  preach  the  gospel 
of  Christ.  Hasten  the  coming  of  the  Re- 
deemer's kingdom,  when  peace  and  good  will 
shall  dwell  in  the  whole  earth.  Bless  all 
schools  and  institutions  of  learning.  Prosper 
the  cause  of  sound  christian  education.  Bless 
our  country  and  the  rulers  thereof.  May  all 
rule  in  thy  fear,  and  by  wisdom  from  on 
high.  Forgive  us  all  our  sins,  and  at  last 
save  us,  all  of  which  we  ask  in  the  name  and 
for  the  sake  of  Christ  our  Saviour  and  Re- 
deemer.    Amen. 


WEEK-BAY  SCHOOLS.  117 

HYMN. 

The  Love  of  Christ.     S.  M, 

1.  Dear  children,  come  to  me, 

And  listen  while  I  tell 
Of  him  who  died  upon  the  tree, 
To  save  our  souls  from  lielL 

2.  He  saw  our  wretched  state, 

And  felt  his  pity  move  ; 
Poor  he  became,  though  once  so  greatj; 
To  show  his  matchless  love. 

$.  In  Bethlehem  he  was  born, 
A  feeble  infant  child  ; 
Then  lived  a  life,  exposed  to  scorn,, 
Though  gentle,  meek  and  mild. 

4.  On  Calvary  he  died, 

A  sacrifice  for  sin; 
There  Jesus  Christ  was  crucified. 
That  we  might  glory  gain. 

5.  Then  love  this  gracious  Friend, 

And  seek  his  saving  grace ; 
He'll  guide  you  safely  to  the  end^ 
And  you  shall  see  his  face.. 


118  PRATERS  AND  HYMNS  FOB 

Friday  Morning. 
Unto  thee,  0  Lord,  would  we  lift  up  our 
hearts   and  voices  in  this  morning  hour,  for 
unto  thee  do  we  owe  the  preservation  of  our 
ves  and  health ;  unto  thee  are  we  indebted 
or  all  the  comforts  and  blessings  that  sur- 
round us  at  this  time.     During  the  night  that 
is  past  thou  hast  been  with  us,  and  hast  kept 
us  to  behold  the  light  of  this  morning  in  safe- 
ty, and  now  we  have  again  been  permitted  to 
meet  for  the  purpose  of  engaging  in  our  ac- 
customed labors. 

0  Lord,  thou  art  good,  but  we  are  evil. 
Thou  art  light,  but  we  are  full  of  darkness. 
Thou  art  holy,  but  we  are  polluted  by  sin. 
Thou  art  love,  but  we  are,  by  nature,  prone 
to  hate  thee  and  everything  that  is  good. 
Help  us,  our  father,  to  feel  the  misery  which 
sin  brings  upon  us,  and  to  turn  unto  thee  with 
a  full  purpose  of  heart,  in  order  to  have  our 
sins  pardoned  and  our  misery  removed.  For 
the  sake  of  thy  son,  forgive  us  our  sins,  re- 
«iove  our  guilt  and  restore  us  unto  thy  favor, 


WEEK-DAY  SCHOOLS.  119 

Renew  us  by  thy  spirit,  and  make  us  new 
creatures  in  Christ.  Enlighten  our  minds  by 
thy  heavenly  truth,  and  fill  our  hearts  with 
joy  and  peace  in  the  Holy  Ghost.  Prepare 
us  for  thy  service  in  this  life,  and  to  whatever 
station  or  sphere  of  labor  it  may  please  thee 
to  call  us,  may  we  always  seek,  first  of  all, 
thy  honor  and  glory,  and  the  promotion  of 
true  and  vital  godliness  among  the  children  of 
men. 

And  now,  0  Lord,  be  with  us.  Help  us  to 
apply  ourselves  diligently  to  our  tasks,  that, 
by  thy  blessing,  we  may  be  able  to  make  such 
progress  in  our  studies  as  may  seem  good  to 
thee.  Direct  us  by  thy  good  Spirit,  and  en- 
able us  to  submit  ourselves  at  all  times,  and 
in  all  things,  to  his  guidance.  Pill  our  hearts 
with  love  towards  thee,  and  enable  us  so  to 
resign  ourselves  into  thy  hands,  as  to  seek 
only  what  is  well-pleasing  in  thy  sight. 

Prosper,  0  Lord,  the  cause  of  sound  chris- 
tian education  everywhere.  May  those  who 
teach  do  so  in  thy  fear,  as  those  who  have  to 


120      PRAYERS  AND  HYMNS  FOR 

give  an  account  of  their  stewardship.  May 
all  who  stand  connected  with  the  great  and 
noble  cause  of  popular  education,  labor  to- 
gether to  make  it  such  as  it  should  be — a 
training  up  in  the  knowledge  and  fear  of  the 
Lord. 

Be  now  with  us  during  the  hours  of  this 
day  ;  preserve  us  from  all  sin  and  evil ;  help 
us  to  seek  each  other's  good  and  happiness, 
and  thy  glory,  and  at  last  receive  us  unto 
thyself,  for  our  Redeemer's  sake.     Amen. 


HYMN. 

Teach  us  to  Pray.     S.  M. 

1.  Lord,  teach  us  how  to  pray, 

And  give  us  hearts  to  ask, 

Or  all  we  seek,  or  think,  or  say, 

Will  prove  a  tiresome  task. 

2.  Teach  us  for  what  to  pray, 

For  thou  alone  art  wise  ; 
And  often  what  we  blindly  urge, 
Thy  mercy,  Lord,  denies. 


WEEK-DAY  SCHOOLS.  121 

8.  Lord,  teach  us  so  to  pray, 

That  murmuring  be  unknown  ; 
That  whatsoe'er  thy  grace  decrees, 
Thy  will  may  be  our  own. 

4.  Thy  Holy  Spirit  send, 
Our  bosoms  to  inspire  ; 
Then  shall  our  praise  to  thee  ascend 
With  pure  and  Yfarm  desire. 


Friday  Evening. 

Almighty  God,  our  Heavenly  Father : — 
We  desire  to  come  before  thee  at  the  close  of 
our  labors  for  this  day.  We  would  come  in 
the  name  of  thy  Son,  our  Saviour  and  Re- 
deemer, our  Advocate  and  Intercessor  at  thy 
right  hand,  and  would  thank  thee  for  the  fa- 
vors and  blessings  which  the  day  which  is 
now  drawing  towards  its  close,  brought  with 
itself.  Thou  hast  been  with  and  round  and 
about  us,  and  hast  watched  over  us,  whilst  we 
tarried  under  this  roof.  We  have  been  ena- 
bled to  engage  in  our  various  studies,  in  or- 
der to  be  prepared  for  future  usefulness  in 


122  PRAYERS  AND  HYMNS  FOR 

the  State  and  in  thy  church.  Thou  hast  gra- 
ciously spared  our  lives  and  preserved  our 
health,  and  now  we  would  acknowledge  thy 
goodness  and  praise  and  magnify  thy  great 
and  glorious  name,  for  all  thou  hast  done  for 
us. 

We  would  also  confess  before  thee  our  ut- 
ter unworthiness  and  great  sinfulness,  and 
would  beseech  thee,  in  the  name  of  thy  Son, 
to  pardon  all  the  sins  of  omission  and  com- 
mission, of  which  we  have  this  day  been 
guilty.  Help  us  to  see  and  feel  in  what  we 
have  neglected  our  duty,  and  to  repent  of  our 
sins,  in  order  that  thou  may  est,  for  Christ's 
sake,  pardon  us.  May  a  sense  of  thy  good- 
ness towards  us  constrain  us  to  love  thee,  who 
hast  first  loved  us.  0,  may  we  be  more 
faithful  towards  thee  in  time  to  come,  than 
we  have  been  in  days  that  are  past !  To  this 
end,  0  Lord,  send  thy  good  Spirit  into  our 
hearts  that  he  may  turn  us  unto  thee,  for  of 
ourselves  we  are  poor  and  needy ;  sinful  and 
depraved,  and  go  astray  continually.     Help 


WEEK-DAY  SCHOOLS.  123 

us  to  give  our  hearts  to  thee,  and  0,  do  thou 
receive  them  and  make  them  pure  and  holy. 
And  now,  Lord,  as  the  night  is  coming  on 
and  we  are  about  to  depart  from  this  place, 
we  pray  thee  to  acid  thy  rich  blessing  unto 
the  labors  of  our  hands,  so  that  it  may  not 
have  been  in  vain  for  us  to  have  met  together 
in  this  place.  Dismiss  us  now  with  thy  bless- 
ing ;  go  with  us  to  our  homes  ;  watch  over  us 
during  the  silent  hours  of  the  night ;  refresh 
us  whilst  we  repose  in  sleep,  and  raise  us  up 
again  to  behold  to-morrow's  sun.  Should 
death  come,  0,  then  receive  us  into  glory, 
through  Christ,  our  Saviour,  who  has  taught 
us  to  pray:   "  Our  Father,"  &c.     Amen. 


HYMN. 

Children  Praising  the  Saviour.     C.  M. 

1.  Hosannas  were  by  children  sung 
When  Jesus  was  on  earth ; 
Then  surely  we  are  not  too  young 
To  sound  his  praises  forth. 


124  PRAYERS  AND  HYMNS  FOR 

2.  The  Lord  is  great,  the  Lord  is  good  ; 

He  feeds  us  from  his  store 
With  earthly  and  with  heavenly  food ; 
We'll  praise  him  evermore. 

3.  We  thank  him  for  his  gracious  Word, 

We  thank  him  for  his  love ; 
We'll  sing  the  praises  of  our  Lord, 
Who  reigns  in  heaven  above. 


Saturday  Morning. 

0  Lord,  our  God  and  Father,  we  desire  to 
come  before  thee  in  this  morning  hour,  in  or- 
der to  render  thee  our  thanks  and  praises  for 
what  thou  hast  done  for  us  during  the  night 
that  is  now  past  and  gone.  0  !  cast  us  not 
away  from  thy  presence  and  take  not  thy 
good  and  Holy  Spirit  from  us,  but  enable  us 
to  draw  nigh  unto  thee  with  all  our  hearts,  in 
order  that  our  oiferings  maybe  acceptable  unto 
thee,  in  the  name  and  for  the  sake  of  Christ, 
our  Saviour  and  Redeemer.  0,  may  our 
hearts  be  filled  with  gratitude  and  our  mouths 
overflow  with  praises,  for  thou  hast  so  highly 


WEEK-DAY  SCHOOLS.  125 

favored  us  in  all  respects  as  to  make  it  meet 
for  us  continually  to  praise  and  glorify  thy 
great  and  adorable  name.  Thou  didst  send 
thy  Son  into  the  world  to  save  us,  and  didst 
give  us  thy  Word,  which  teaches  us  our  duty 
towards  thee  and  our  fellow-men.  But  oh ! 
we  are  weak,  and  poor,  and  needy. 

We  cannot,  of  ourselves,  love  thee  as  we 
should.  Our  evil  hearts  continually  deceive 
us,  and  the  evil  desires  which  rise  up  within, 
lead  us  astray.  0  Lord,  help  us  to  feel  what 
we  need.  Help  us  to  long  after  redemption 
from  sin  and  misery.  Help  us  to  strive  after 
holiness  and  perfection.  Help  us  to  love 
thee,  the  Lord,  our  God,  with  all  our  heart, 
with  all  our  soul,  with  all  our  mind,  and  with 
all  our  strength,  and  to  love  our  fellow-men 
as  ourselves.  Help  us  to  watch  and  to  pray 
that  we  may  not  enter  into  temptation,  and 
when  tempted,  0,  help  us  to  overcome  and 
conquer  all  the  enemies  of  our  souls.  Ena- 
ble us,  0  Lord,  to  feel  that  our  home  is  not 
in  this  world,  that  we  need  a  better  country, 


126  PRAYERS  AND  HYMNS  FOE 

even  a  heavenly.  May  we  not  seek  to  lay 
up  treasures  on  earth  which  last  but  a  short 
time  and  then  perish,  and  have  no  value  be- 
fore thee ;  but  may  we  lay  up  treasures  in 
heaven,  which  shall  endure  forever,  so  that 
our  hearts  may  be  there  likewise,  for,  where 
our  treasures  are,  there  will  our  hearts  be 
also. 

We  would  confess  our  sins  and  transgres- 
sions unto  thee,  and  pray  thee,  in  the  name 
of  thy  Son,  our  Saviour,  graciously  to  pardon 
us  and  to  restore  us  unto  thy  favor.  Send 
thy  good  Spirit  into  our  hearts  that  he  may 
renew  and  sanctify  us.  May  we  die  unto 
ourselves,  unto  sin  and  unto  the  world,  in  or- 
der that  Christ  may  live  in  us. 

Bless  with  us,  0  Lord,  all  others,  espe- 
cially the  poor  and  needy  ;  sick  and  afflicted ; 
widows  and  orphans,  and  all  who  are  in  dis- 
tress of  body  or  soul.  Convert  sinners  from 
the  error  of  their  ways  and  lead  them  into 
all  truth  by  thy  Word  and  Spirit. 

And  now,  as  we  have  assembled  ourselves 


WEEK-DAY  SCHOOLS.  127 

together  this  morning,  for  the  purpose  of  en- 
gaging in  our  regular  studies,  we  pray  thee 
to  be  with  us  during  the  hours  of  this  day. 
May  thy  Spirit  abide  with  us  and  teach  us. 
Preserve  us  from  all  sinful  thoughts,  words 
and  actions.  Prosper  the  labors  of  our  hands ; 
guide  us  this  day  and  evermore  by  thy  wis- 
dom, counsel  and  Spirit,  and  save  us  at  last 
for  Christ,  our  Kedeemer's  sake.     Amen. 

HYMN. 

Praise  for  Mercies.     C.   M. 

1.  Lord,  I  would  own  thy  tender  care, 

And  all  thy  love  to  me ; 
The  food  I  eat,  the  clothes  I  wear, 
Are  all  bestowed  by  thee. 

2.  And  thou  preservest  me  from  death 

And  clangers  every  hour  ; 
I  cannot  draw  another  breath 
Unless  thou  give  me  power. 

8.  My  health,  my  friends,  and  parents  dear, 
To  me  by  God  are  given ; 
I  have  not  any  blessings  here, 
But  what  are  sent  from  heaven, 


128  PRAYERS  AND  HYMNS  FOR 

4.  Such  goodness,  Lord,  and  constant  care, 
A  child  can  ne'er  repay ; 
But  may  it  be  my  daily  prayer 
To  love  thee  and  obey. 


Saturday  Evening. 

0  Lord,  God,  our  heavenly  Father,  we 
now  stand  at  the  close  of  another  day  and 
another  week,  and  our  six  days'  labor  is  done. 
We  are  so  many  hours  and  days  older  ;  so 
much  nearer  the  grave  and  eternity.  The 
rest  of  thy  Sabbath  day  is  before  us,  and  we 
are  reminded  to  lay  aside  that  which  has  en- 
gaged us  during  the  week,  and  to  spend  the 
Sabbath  in  resting  from  our  bodily  labors, 
and  in  laboring  only  for  the  salvation  of  our 
souls.  0,  may  we  be  reminded  that  soon 
our  labors  on  earth  shall  cease  altogether, 
and  that  the  rest  of  God,  the  everlasting  Sab- 
bath, will  soon  come,  into  which  we  shall  en- 
ter, if  we  are  prepared.  0  Lord,  seriously 
impress  our  minds  and  hearts  with  a  sense  of 
this  fact ;  and  may  we  long  for  and  greatly 


WEEK-DAY  SCHOOLS.  129 

desire  the  coming  of  that  great  and  never- 
ending  day  of  rest,  when  we  shall  praise  and 
glorify  thee  without  ceasing  in  heaven  above. 
Create  in  us  a  strong  desire  to  dwell  in  the 
New  Jerusalem  above,  the  city  of  our  God, — ■ 
our  happy,  our  glorious  home,  where  congre- 
gations never  break  up  and  Sabbaths  never 
end. 

And  now,  0  Lord,  as  we  stand  at  the  end 
of  this  week,  and  look  back,  we  see  how  won- 
derfully thou  hast  led  us,  and  how  many  bles- 
sings and  favors  we  enjoyed.  For  all  this 
we  would  humbly  thank  thee,  our  Father. 
But  we  also  see  how  often  we  forgot  thee; 
how  often  we  strayed  away  from  thee,  and 
transgressed  thy  most  righteous  commands. 
For  all  our  short-comings  and  sins,  known  and 
unknown,  we  would,  in  the  name  of  Christ, 
beseech  thee  to  grant  us  true  and  heartfelt 
repentance.  Oh,  that  we  may  turn  from  our 
evil  ways  unto  thee,  that  thou  mayest  forgive 
our  sins  !  Help  us,  our  Father,  by  thy  Holy 
Spirit,  to  seek  thy  pardoning  mercy,  through 

E-l. 


130  PRAYERS  AND  HYMNS  FOB 

Christ  our  Lord  and  Saviour.  Renew  us  in* 
to  the  image  of  thy  son.  Help  us  to  crucify 
all  our  evil  desires  and  sinful  lusts,  and  to  lay 
hold  upon  eternal  life  hj  a  true  and  living 
faith,  in  order  to  die  unto  sin  and  live  unto 
Christ. 

And  now,  as  we  are  about  to  depart  from 
this  place,  we  pray  thee  to  dismiss  us  with 
thy  blessing.  Go  with  us  to  our  homes ; 
Watch  over  us  during  the  night ;  protect  and 
refresh  us  in  sleep,  and  raise  us  up  again  to 
behold  the  light  of  the  coming  Sabbath  day, 
in  the  enjoyment  of  good  health  and  strength. 
And  may  we  spend  its  sacred  hours  in  thy 
service,  by  singing  psalms  and  hymns ;  by 
reading  and  hearing  thy  "Word,  and  engaging 
in  prayer  unto  thee. 

Add  now  thy  blessing  unto  the  labors  of 
this  week,  and  may  they  not  be  fruitless,  but 
be  productive  of  much  good  fruit  to  our  good 
and  thy  glory.  We  commit  and  commend 
ourselves  into  thy  care  and  keeping.  Be  mer- 
ciful unto  us  and  save  us  from  all  evil,  and 


WEEK-DAY  SCHOOLS.  181 

finally  admit  us  into  thy  presence  for  the  sake 
of  him  who  loved  us  and  gave  himself  for  us, 
and  all  the  glory  shall  be  to  thee,  the  Father, 
the  Son  and  the  Holy  Ghost.     Amen, 


HYMN. 

Saturday  Night.     C.  M. 

1.  The  week  is  passing  fast  away, 

The  hours  are  almost  done ; 
Before  I  rise,  the  Sabbath  day 
Will  surely  be  begun. 

2.  Through  all  this  week  what  have  I  done 

Have  I  been  kind  to  all  ? 
Have  I  sought  anything  but  fun, 
And  run  at  every  call  ? 

8.  Have  I  been  still  when  I  was  bid, 
And  ceased  to  make  a  noise  ? 
Have  I  been  good  in  all  I  did, 
At  lessons  or  at  toys  ? 

4.  I'm  naughty  every  day  I  live, 
Say  many  a  foolish  word, 
But  God  can  pardon  all  my  sins, 
Through  Jesus  Christ  my  Lord. 


132  FAMILY   PRAYERS. 

5.  An  infant's  prayer  he  will  not  scorn  ; 
I'll  pray  before  I  sleep  ; 
And  ask  his  love,  then  rest  till  morn, 
For  he  my  soul  will  keep. 


FAMILY  PRAYERS. 


Morning. 

Ever  blessed  God  and  Father,  into  thy 
presence  would  we  come,  as  a  family,  in  order 
to  offer  up  unto  thee  our  morning  sacrifices. 
Look  graciously  upon  us,  for  the  sake  of  thy 
Son ;  cast  us  not  away  from  thy  presence, 
and  take  not  thy  good  and  Holy  Spirit  from 
us.  Help  us,  we  pray  thee,  to  worship  thee, 
who  art  a  Spirit,  in  spirit  and  in  truth,  and 
graciously  accept  our  humble  offerings.  Help 
us  to  come  before  thee  in  true  humility  and 
contrition  of  heart,  on  account  of  our  sins, 
and  yet  with  a  child-like  confidence  and  strong 
faith  in  thy  promises,  which  are  yea  and 
amen  in  Christ,  our  Saviour. 


FAMILY   PRAYERS.  133 

We  would  humbly  thank  thee,  0  Lord,  for 
the  kind  care  and  protection  which  thou  didst 
extend  over  us  whilst  we  reposed  in  sleep. — 
Our  lives  have  been  spared,  our  health  has 
been  preserved,  and  now  we  are  surrounded 
by  innumerable  blessings  through  which  thy 
love  to  us  is  manifested.  Blessed,  also,  be 
thy  name  for  the  privilege  of  coming  before 
thee,  as  a  family,  in  this  morning  hour. — 
Thou  hast  indeed  favored  us  very  highly,  in 
that  thou  hast  manifested  thyself  unto  us  as 
our  Father,  in  Christ  Jesus,  our  Saviour  and 
Redeemer.  Now  we  can  come  unto  thee  in 
the  name  of  Him  wbo  loved  us  and  gave  him- 
self for  us,  for  he  has  opened  unto  us  the  way 
into  the  Most  Holy  place,  into  which  he  en- 
tered by  his  own  blood,  having  obtained  eter- 
nal redemption,  and  is  ever  living  to  make  in- 
tercession for  us. 

And  now,  Lord,  as  we  are  in  the  presence 
of  a  heart-searching  and  reins-trying  God,  it 
is  meet  for  us  to  humble  ourselves  before  thee 
and   to   make  confession  of  our   sins.     We 


134  FAMILY  PRAYERS. 

acknowledge  our  unworthiness  and  confess 
that  we  have  frequently  and  grievously  sinned 
against  thee.  We  beseech  thee,  gracious  Fa- 
ther, for  the  sake  of  thine  own  dear  Son,  to 
have  mercy  upon  us,  and  to  blot  out  all  our 
transgressions.  Wash  us  thoroughly  in  the 
precious  blood  of  the  Lamb  and  cleanse  us 
from  all  uncleanness.  Create  in  us  new  hearts 
and  renew  right  spirits  within  us.  Help  us 
to  die  unto  sin  and  to  live  unto  Christ.  Sanc- 
tify, we  pray  thee,  all  the  powers  of  our  bo- 
dies, souls  and  spirits,  to  thee  and  thy  ser- 
vice, that  all  our  thoughts,  words  and  deeds, 
may  redound  to  thy  hont)r  and  glory. 

Be  with  us,  as  a  family,  during  the  day  on 
which  we  have  now  entered.  0  help  us, 
Lord,  to  continue  walking  in  the  path  of  vir- 
tue, righteousness  and  true  holiness.  Suffer 
us  not  to  fall  into  temptation,  and  when 
tempted,  help  us  to  overcome.  Keep  us  from 
sin  and  all  evil.  Let  the  light  of  thy  coun- 
tenance, reconciled  in  Christ,  be  lifted  up 
upon  us.     Give  us  thy  peace  into  our  hearts, 


FAMILY  PRAYERS.  135 

thy  praise  into  our  mouths,  and  enable  us  to 
Let  our  lights  so  shine  before  men  that  they 
may  see  our  good  works  and  praise  thy  great 
and  adorable  name. 

Bless  with  us  all  our  dear  relations,  friends 
and  acquaintances.  Bless  the  poor  and 
needy ;  the  sick  and  afflicted,  and  all  widows 
and  orphans.  Prepare  the  dying  for  death 
and  the  living  for  much  usefulness  in  the 
world.  Build  up  thy  kingdom  in  all  the  ends 
of  the  earth,  and  make  righteousness  and 
peace  to  dwell  in  every  heart  and  home,  and 
all  the  glory  shall  be  to  thee,  the  Lord  God 
in  the  highest,  together  with  the  Son  and 
Holy  Ghost,  forever  and  ever. 

"Our  Father,"  &c.     Amen. 


Evening, 

Unber  thy  guardian  care,  G  most  gracious 
Father,  have  we  reached  the  end  of  this  day 
in  the  enjoyment  of  health  and  strength.  To 
thee  would  we  ascribe  all  honor,  praise  and 


136  FAMILY  PRATERS. 

glory,  for  all  the  "blessings  we  enjoyed  ;  and 
unto  ourselves  would  we  take  all  the  shame 
for  the  errors  and  sins  we  have  committed. — 
But,  Lord,  we  are  not  able  to  know  all  our 
sins,  for  who  can  know  how  often  he  faileth ; 
therefore  cleanse  us  also  from  all  secret  sins. 
Grant  us  true  and  heartfelt  repentance  for 
all  our  known  sins  ;  help  us  to  confess  them 
unto  thee  and  to  implore  thy  pardoning  mer- 
cy. Have  mercy  upon  us,  0  Lord,  according 
to  thy  loving  kindness  ;  according  to  the  mul- 
titude of  thy  tender  mercies,  blot  out  our 
transgressions.  Wash  us  thoroughly  from 
our  iniquities  and  cleanse  us  from  our  sins ; 
purify  us  and  sanctify  us  by  thy  Spirit  that 
we  may  be  wholly  devoted  to  thee. 

Add  thy  blessing  unto  the  labors  of  our 
hands  for  the  past  day  so  far  as  they  may  be 
in  conformity  to  thy  holy  will,  and  grant  that 
everything  may  redound  to  thy  honor  and 
glory  and  the  salvation  of  our  souls. 

And  now,  Lord,  as  the  night  is  upon  us, 
and  darkness    hangs  over  the  face  of   the 


FAMILY  PRAYERS.  137 

earth,  we  beseech  thee  to  abide  with  us.- — 
Preserve  us  graciously  from  the  powers  of 
darkness  ;  may  the  light  of  thy  truth  illumine 
our  minds ;  may  thy  love  cheer  our  hearts, 
and  thy  peace  fill  our  souls.  And  should 
this  night  be  the  last ;  should  it  please 
thee  to  call  us  hence ;  should  the  angel  of 
death  knock  at  our  door,  may  we  then  be 
prepared  for  his  coming  ;  may  we  be  able  to 
bid  a  cheerful  adieu  to  the  earth  and  our 
friends,  and  may  we  depart  in  peace  to  be 
with  Christ. 

Be  also  with  all  others,  0  Lord.  Comfort 
the  sick  and  afflicted ;  provide  for  the  poor 
and  needy  ;  console  all  widows  and  orphans  ; 
rescue  those  who  are  in  danger  and  distress, 
and  mercifully  prepare  all  for  their  latter  end, 
for  an  inhabitation  of  thy  glorious  mansions 
of  light,  of  bliss,  and  of  glory,  in  heaven 
above — to  behold  thee  from  face  to  face,  and 
to  worship  and  adore  thee,  the  Father,  to- 
gether with  the  Son  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  for 
evermore.     Amen. 


PRAYERS  FOR  CHILDREN. 

Morning. 

L 

0  Lord  God,  thou  art  my  Father,  and  as 
a  kind  parent  hast  thou  watched  over  me 
during  the  night  that  is  now  past.  Now,  as 
I  behold  the  light  of  this  day,  do  thou  shine 
into  my  heart  by  the  light  of  thy  truth.  I 
am  a  poor  sinner,  but  have  thou  mercy  upon 
me,  0  Lord,  for  the  sake  of  thy  son.  For- 
give me  all  my  sins,  and  bestow  upon  me  the 
rich  gifts  of  thy  heavenly  grace.  Help  me 
to  see  and  feel  all  the  evil  ot  my  heart ;  to 
be  sorry  for  my  sins  ;  to  trust  in  Christ,  and 
to  give  my  heart  to  thee.  Be  with  me  this 
day.  Watch  over  me  for  good.  Keep  me 
from  all  harm  and  bless  my  poor  soul.  Bless 
my  dear  friends,  wherever  they  may  be — my 
parents,  brothers  and  sisters.  Guide  us  by 
thy  Spirit  and  make  us  thine  own  dear  chil- 
dren, that  we  may  love  and  serve  thee  at  all 


PRAYERS  FOR  CHILDREN.  139 

times  and  in  all  places.  Hear  me  now,  0  my 
Father,  for  the  sake  of  thy  Son,  in  whose 
name  I  pray  unto  thee,  and  thy  name  shall 
be  praised  for  ever  and  ever.     Amen. 


II. 

My  heavenly  Father,  this  morning  I  would 
thank  thee  that  I  still  live  and  enjoy  so  many 
other  blessings.  During  the  darkness  of  the 
night,  whilst  I  was  asleep,  thou  hast  kindly 
kept  me  from  harm  and  danger,  and  hast  en- 
abled me  to  rise  up  again  from  my  bed,  to  be- 
hold the  light  of  this  day.  I  would  bless  thee 
for  all  these  favors,  and  would  praise  thy 
great  and  glorious  name  for  all  thou  hast  done 
for  me  since  I  have  my  being.  Be  thou  also 
with  me  during  this  day.  When  dangers 
come,  protect  me  ;  when  trials  come,  uphold 
me ;  when  temptations  come,  help  me  to  over- 
come them  ;  and  when  sorrows  come,  help 
me  to  bear  them.  Oh,  help  me  to  watch  and 
to   pray.      Keep  my  heart  from    all  evil 


140  PRAYERS   FOR   CHILDREN. 

thoughts  and  desires.  Guard  me  against  all 
evil.  Lead  me  by  the  hand  that  I  may  not 
walk  in  the  ways  of  sinners.  Help  me  to 
love  thee  and  give  my  heart  to  thee.  Oh, 
take  it,  Lord,  and  make  it  pure  and  holy. 
Be  with  my  dear  parents,  brothers,  sisters 
and  friends,  and  bless  them  all,  and  at  last 
save  them  and  me  through  Christ  our  Saviour 
and  Redeemer.     Amen. 


Ill, 


Now  I  awake  and  see  the  light, 
'Tis  God  has  kept  me  through  the  night ; 
To  him  I  lift  my  hands  and  pray 
That  he  would  keep  me  through  the  day  ; 
And  if  I  die  before  'tis  done, 
Great  God,  accept  me  through  thy  Son. 

Amen. 


Evening. 

I. 

At  the  close  of  this  day,  0  Lord,  I  come 
unto  thee  in  my  prayer.     In  the  name  of  thy 


PRAYERS  FOR  CHILDREN.  141 

dear  Son,  my  Saviour,  do  I  come  to  render 
thee  my  humble  thanks  for  all  thou  hast  done 
for  me  during  the  past  day.  Oh,  thou  art 
good,,  and  thy  goodness  is  renewed  from  day 
to  day.  When  seen  and  unseen  dangers  sur- 
rounded me,  thou  didst  deliver  me  and  didst 
keep  me  from  all  harm  and  danger.  Oh,  ac- 
cept now  my  humble  thanks,  and  fill  my  heart 
with  sincere  love  and  gratitude  towards  thee. 
Help  me  to  feel  how  much  thou  hast  done  for 
my  poor  soul.  That  thou  didst  give  thine 
only  begotten  and  dearly  beloved  Son  to  be 
my  Saviour,  to  save  me  from  never-ending 
misery.  Help  me,  0  Lord,  to  give  myself  to 
thee,  to  love  and  serve  thee  all  the  days  of  my 
life.  Prepare  me  for  thy  service  upon  earth, 
and  the  enjoyment  of  thy  presence  in  heaven, 
and  grant  that  I  may,  in  all  things,  seek  thy 
glory  and  the  salvation  of  souls. 

Be  now  with  me,  0  Lord,  during  the  coming 
night.  Be  with  my  dear  parents,  brothers 
and  sisters.  Bless  me  and  them,  and  all 
others.     Bless  the  poor  and  needy  ;  the  sick 


142  PRAYERS  EOR  children 

and  afflicted ;  widows  and  orphans,  and  all 
that  are  in  distress,  by  sea  or  land.  Lord 
hear  my  prayer,  and  answer  and  bless,  and 
all  the  glory  shall  be  thine  for-ever-more. 
Amen* 


II. 

At  the  close  of  this  day  I  would  come  be- 
fore thee,  0  my  heavenly  Father,  to  thank 
thee  for  its  joys  and  its  sorrows.  Pardon  me, 
merciful  Father,  for  all  my  failings  and  sins, 
and  the  good  I  may  have  learned  seal  upon 
my  heart  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  that  it  may 
abide  there  forever.  Help  me,  dearest  Fa- 
ther, to  give  my  heart  unto  thee,  and  0  do 
thou  receive  it,  sinful  and  wicked  as  it  is,  and 
for  the  sake  of  thy  Son,  make  it  good  and 
holy.  0  Saviour,  thou  good  Shepherd,  who 
takest  thy  lambs  into  thy  bosom  to  bear  them 
home,  do  thou  also  take  me  under  thy  tender 
care  as  long  as  I  live  in  this  dark  and  sinful 
world.  Feed  me  on  heavenly  truth,  and  re- 
fresh my  soul  with  the  dews  of  heavenly  grace. 


Mayers  for  children.  14S 

And  thouj  Holy  Spirit,  come  into  my  heart 
and  abide  with  me  for  ever.  Instruct  me  in 
heavenly  things,  so  that  I  may  become  wise 
unto  salvation. 

And  now,  0  Lord,  as  the  night  draws  near^ 
and  darkness  hangs  over  the  face  of  the  earth, 
I  pray  thee  to  abide  with  me.  Fill  my  soul 
with  heavenly  light,  and  joy  and  peace.  Be 
with  my  parents,  brothers  and  sisters,  and 
With  all  who  are  near  and  dear  unto  my  heart. 
Bless  the  poor  and  needy,  the  sick  and  af- 
flicted, widows  and  orphans^  Watch  over  us 
all,  and  protect  us  from  all  danger  and  harm. 
Thus  keep  us  as  the  apple  of  thine  own  eye, 
and  at  last  take  us  home  to  see  thy  face  in 
glory,  all  of  which  I  ask  for  the  sake  of  Christ 
our  Saviour  and  Redeemer.     Amen. 


Ill 


Ere  on  my  bed  my  limbs  I  lay, 

0  hear,  great  God,  the  words  I  say ; 

Preserve,  I  pray,  my  parents  dear, 

In  health  and  strength  for  many  a  year  ; 


144  PRAYERS    AT    TABLE. 

And  still,  0  Lord,  to  me  impart 
A  gentle  and  a  grateful  heart, 
.     That  after  my  last  sleep,  I  may 
Awake  to  thy  eternal  day. 


Amen. 


IV. 

Now  I  lay  me  down  to  sleep, 
I  pray  the  Lord  my  soul  to  keep ; 
If  I  should  die  before  I  wake, 
I  pray  the  Lord  my  soul  to  take  : 
And  this  I  beg  for  Jesus'  sake. 

Amen. 


PRAYERS  AT  TABLE. 


Before  Meals. 

I. 

0  Lord,  thou  Giver  of  every  good  and 
perfect  gift,  we  desire  to  thank  thee  for  the 
bounties  of  thy  hand  now  spread  before  us. 
Enable  us  to  partake  of  them  with  grateful 
hearts,  and  to  devote  the  strength  we  may  de- 


PRAYERS  AT  TABLE.  145 

rive  from  them  to  thy  service.  Feed  our 
souls  on  spiritual  food,  even  on  the  bread  of 
life  which  came  down  from  heaven.  Guide 
and  direct  us  by  thy  Spirit.  Lead  us  in  the 
paths  of  peace,  and  save  us  through  riches  of 
grace  in  Christ.     Amen. 


II. 

In  surrounding  this  board,  laden  with  the 
gifts  of  thy  bounty,  we  desire  to  thank  thee, 
0  Lord,  for  being  thus  mindful  of  us  in  pro- 
viding for  all  our  temporal  wants.  Help  us 
to  feel  the  love  thou  dost  manifest  towards 
us.  May  thy  goodness  lead  us  to  love  thee 
with  all  our  hearts.  Continue  to  provide  for 
our  wants,  and  help  us  to  look  unto  thee  for 
all  we  need.  Bless  now,  unto  our  use,  the 
provisions  before  us.  Sanctify  us  to  thy 
service.  Be  with  us  throughout  the  journey 
of  life.  Forgive  our  sins,  and  at  last  save 
us  into  thy  kingdom,  through  Christ.   Amen. 

E-2. 


146  PRAYERS  AT  TABLE. 

III. 

Lord,  accept  our  thanks  for  these  gifts  of 
thy  love ;  sanctify  them  to  our  use  and  us  to 
thy  service.  Forgive  us  all  our  sins.  Feed 
our  souls  on  the  bread  of  life,  and  water 
them  with  the  living  water.  Guide  us  by 
thy  Spirit,  in  the  way  of  truth,  of  righteous- 
ness and  true  holiness,  and  save  us  at  last, 
into  thy  kingdom,  we  ask  it  in  the  name  and 
for  the  sake  of  Christ  our  Redeemer.   Amen. 


IV. 


Lord,  the  eyes  of  all  wait  upon  thee,  and 
thou  givest  them  their  meat  in  due  season ; 
thou  openest  thy  hand  and  satisfiest  the 
desire  of  every  living  thing.  We  too,  0 
Lord,  are  partakers  of  thy  bounty  at  this 
time.  Accept  our  thanks  for  these  tokens 
of  thy  love.  Help  us  to  partake  of  them 
with  true  gratitude.  Continue  to  provide 
for  us.  Sanctify  all  thy  blessings  to  our 
good  and  us  to  thy  service,  and  finally  save 


Prayers  at  table.  14? 

\xs,  for  the  sake  of  thy  dear  Son,  our  Saviour 
and  Redeemer,  in  whose  name  we  ask  it. 
Amen. 


After  Meals, 


We  have  partaken  of  thy  bounties,  0 
Lord,  and  our  bodies  have  been  fed  on  spirit- 
ual food  which  shall  nourish  our  souls  unto 
eternal  life,  through  Christ  our  Saviour. 
Amen. 


II. 


We  desire  to  thank  thee,  0  Lord,  for  the 
provisions  of  which  we  have  now  partaken. 
Help  us  to  go  and  love  and  serve  thee,  in  the 
strength  derived  therefrom.  Forgive  us  all 
our  sins  and  short-comings,  and  save  us 
at  last,  through  riches  of  grace  in  Christ. 
Amen. 


148  PRAYERS  AT  TABLE. 

III. 

Unto  thee,  0  Lord,  would  we  give  thanks 
for  our  daily  bread,  and  for  all  other  blessings 
we  enjoy.  Help  us  to  love  and  serve  thee 
in  all  we  may  do.  Provide  for  all  our  wants 
in  time  to  come,  and  finally  save  us,  and 
receive  our  souls  unto  thyself  in  heaven, 
through  Christ  our  Redeemer.     Amen. 

IV. 

Now,  0  Lord,  our  bodies  have  been  fed. 
Accept  our  thanks  for  the  food  of  which  we 
have  now  partaken.  Feed  our  souls  on  thy 
Word,  and  on  the  bread  which  came  down 
from  heaven,  and  at  last  save  us  for  the  sake 
of  Christ,  our  Saviour  and  Redeemer.  Amen. 


MORNING  HYMNS. 


I.     C.  M. 


I  thank  thee,  Lord,  for  quiet  rest, 
And  for  thy  care  of  me ; 

0  let  me  through  this  day  be  blest, 
And  kept  from  harm  by  thee. 


MORNING  HYMNS.  149 

2*  0  take  my  naughty  heart  away, 
And  make  me  clean  and  good ; 
Lord  Jesus,  save  my  soul,  I  pray? 
And  wash  me  in  thy  blood. 

3.  0  let  me  love  thee  ;  kind  thou  art 

To  children  such  as  I : 
Give  me  a  gentle,  holy  heart ; 
Be  thou  my  Friend  on  high. 

4.  Help  me  to  please  my  parents  dear, 

And  do  whate'er  they  tell ; 
Bless  all  my  friends,  both  far  and  near^ 
And  keep  them  safe  and  well. 


II.    L.  M. 

1.  Awake  my  soul,  and  with  the  sum 
Thy  daily  stage  of  duty  run ; 
Shake  off  dull  sloth,  and  early  riset^ 
To  pay  thy  morning  sacrifice. 

%  Glory  to  Thee,  who  safe  hast  kept, 

And  hast  refreshed  me,  while  I  slept ; 
Grant,  Lord,  when  I  from  death  shall  wake? 
I  may  of  endless  life  partake. 


150  MORNING  HYMNS- 

8.  Lord,  I  my  tows  to  thee  renew, 

Scatter  my  sins  as  morning  dew ; 
Guard  my  first  springs  of  thought  and  will, 
And  with  thyself  my  spirit  fill. 

4.  Direct,  control,  suggest,  this  day, 
All  I  design,  or  do,  or  say ; 
That  all  my  powers,  with  all  their  mighty 
In  thy  sole  glory  may  unite. 


III.    S.M. 

1.  Awake !  my  heart,  awake  I 

Thy  gracious  God  to  praise ; 
Who  condescends  such  care  to  take,. 
And  lengthen  out  my  days. 

2.  While  some  have  pass'd  the  night 

In  restlessness  and  pain  ; 
I  rise  in  health,  to  see  the  light, 
And  seek  the  Lord  again. 

3."  This  day  will  many  die ! 

This  hour  what  numbers  go  I 
What,  if  my  soul  be  called  to  fly, 
And  I  that  change  should  know  f 

4.  Lord,  come,  and  be  my  guide 

Through  this  uncertain  space  ; 
Keep  me  for  ever  near  thy  side^  . 
And  grant  a  child  thy  grace. 


MORNING  HYMNS.  151 

IV.     C.  M. 

1.  Through  all  the  dangers  of  the  night, 

Preserved,  0  Lord !  by  thee  ; 
Again  we  hail  the  cheerful  light, 
Again  we  bow  the  knee. 

2.  Preserve  us,  Lord  !  throughout  the  day, 

And  guide  us  by  thy  arm  ; 
For  they  are  safe  and  only  they, 
Whom  thou  dost  keep  from  harm. 

3.  Let  all  our  words  and  all  our  ways, 

Declare  that  we  are  thine  ; 
That  so  the  light  of  truth  and  grace, 
Before  the  world  may  shine. 

4.  Let  us  ne'er  turn  away  from  thee ; 

Dear  Saviour,  hold  us  fast, 
Till,  with  immortal  eyes,  we  see 
Thy  glorious  face  at  last. 


V.     C.  M. 


1.  The  morning  breaks,  my  voice  I  raise 
To  thee,  great  God  above ; 
Accept  my  prayer,  my  feeble  praise, 
In  kindness  and  in  love. 


152  MORNING  HYMNS. 

2 .  Forgive  the  crimes  that  I  have  done ; 

My  follies  I  deplore ; 
And  since  another  day's  begun, 
0,  may  I  love  thee  more. 

3.  Preserve  me  from  all  ill,  I  pray, 

And  guide  me  with  thine  eye, 
And  grant  through  every  hour  I  may 
On  grace  divine  rely. 

4.  Keep  me  from  sinful  thoughts,  0  Lord, 

And  make  my  heart  sincere ; 
Make  me  to  read  thy  holy  word 
With  reverence  and  fear. 

5.  Then  shall  I  be  prepared  below, 

For  thy  eternal  home  ; 
Where  pleasures  like  a  river  flow, 
And  sorrows  never  come. 


VI.     CM. 

To  thee  let  my  first  off 'rings  rise, 
Whose  sun  creates  the  day, 

Swift  as  his  glad'ning  influence  flies, 
And  spotless  as  his  ray. 

This  day  thy  fav'ring  hand  be  nigh, 
So  oft  vouchsafed  before  ; 

Still  may  it  lead,  protect,  supply, 
And  I  that  hand  adore. 


EVENING  HYMNS.  153 

3.  If  bliss  thy  providence  impart, 

For  which,  resigned,  I  pray ; 
Give  me  to  feel  the  grateful  heart, 
And  without  guilt,  be  gay. 

4.  Affliction  should  thy  love  intend 

As  vice  or  folly's  cure  ; 
Patient  to  gain  that  gracious  end, 
May  I  the  means  endure. 

5.  Be  this  and  ev'ry  future  day, 

Still  wiser  than  the  past ; 

And  when  I  all  my  life  survey, 

May  grace  sustain  at  last. 


EVENING  HYMNS. 


9. 


I.     7's. 


1.  Softly  now  the  light  of  day 
Fades  upon  my  sight  away ; 
Free  from  care,  from  labor  free, 
Lord,  I  would  commune  with  thee. 


Thou,  whose  all-pervading  eye 
Nought  escapes  without,  within, 
Pardon  each  infirmity, 
Open  fault  and  secret  sin. 


154  EVENING  HYMNS. 

3.  Soon,  for  me,  the  light  of  day- 
Shall  forever  pass  away ; 
Then,  from  sin  and  sorrow  free, 
Take  me,  Lord,  to  dwell  with  thee. 

4.  Thou  who,  sinless,  yet  hast  known 
All  of  man's  infirmity; 

Then  from  thine  eternal  throne, 
Jesus,  look  with  pitying  eye. 


II.    8's,  Vs. 

1.  Jesus,  tender  Shepherd,  hear  me ; 

Bless  thy  little  lambs  to-night ; 
Through  the  darkness  be  thou  near  me, 
Watch  my  sleep  till  morning  light. 

2.  All  this  day  thy  hand  has  led  me, 

And  I  thank  thee  for  thy  care ; 
Thou  hast  clothed  me  warmed  and  fed  me, 
Listen  to  my  evening  prayer. 

3.  Let  my  sins  be  all  forgiven, 

Bless  the  friends  I  love  so  well ; 
Take  me,  when  I  die,  to  heaven, 
Happy  there  with  thee  to  dwell. 


III.     S.  M. 

1.  The  day  is  past  and  gone  ; 

The  evening  shades  appear ; 
0,  may  I  ever  keep  in  mind, 
The  night  of  death  draws  near. 


EVENING  HYMNS.  155 

2.  I  lay  my  garments  by, 

Upon  my  bed  to  rest ; 
So  death  will  soon  remove  me  hence, 
And  leave  my  soul  undrest. 

3.  Lord,  keep  me  safe  this  night, 

Secure  from  all  my  fears ; 
May  angels  guard  me  while  I  sleep. 
Till  morning  light  appears. 

4.  And  when  I  early  rise, 

To  view  th'  unwearied  sun, 
May  I  set  out  to  win  the  prize, 
And  after  glory  run.. 

5.  That  when  my  days  are  past, 

And  I  from  time  remove, 
Lord,  may  I  in  thy  bosom  rest,, 
The  bosom  of  thy  love. 


IV.    7's. 


1.  Thou  from  whom  we  never  part, 

Thou  whose  love  is  everywhere, 
Thou  who  seest  every  heart, 
Listen  to  our  evening  prayer. 

2.  Father,  fill  our  hearts  with  love, 

Love  unfailing,  full  and  free ; 
Love  no  injuries  can  move, 
Love  that  ever  rests  on  thee. 


156  EVENING  HYMNS. 

3.  Heavenly  Father !  through  the  night, 
Keep  us  safe  from  every  ill ; 
Cheerful  as  the  morning  light, 
May  we  wake  to  do  thy  will. 


V.     C.  M. 

1.  Now  from  the  altar  of  our  hearts, 

Let  flames  of  love  arise ; 
Assist  us,  Lord,  to  offer  up 
Our  ev'ning  sacrifice. 

2.  Minutes  and  mercies  multiplied, 

Have  made  up  all  this  day ; 
Minutes  come  quick,  but  mercies  were 
More  swift  and  free  than  they. 

3.  New  time,  new  favor,  and  new  joys, 

Do  a  new  song  require  ; 
Till  we  shall  praise  thee  as  we  would, 
Accept  our  hearts'  desire. 

4.  Lord  of  our  days,  whose  hand  hath  set 

New  time  upon  the  score ; 
Thee  may  we  praise  for  all  our  time, 
When  time  shall  be  no  more. 


VI.     C.  M. 

And  now  another  day  is  gone, 
I'll  sing  my  Maker's  praise ; 

My  comforts  every  hour  make  known 
His  providence  and  grace. 


EVENING  HYMNS.  157 

2.  But  how  my  childhood  runs  to  waste  ! 

My  sins,  how  great  their  sum ; 
Lord,  give  me  pardon  for  the  past, 
And  strength  for  days  to  come. 

3.  I  lay  my  body  down  to  sleep, 

Let  angels  guard  my  head ; 
And  through  the  hours  of  darkness  keep 
Their  watch  around  my  bed. 

4.  With  cheerful  heart  I  close  my  eyes. 

Since  thou  wilt  not  remove  ; 
And  in  the  morning  let  me  rise. 
Rejoicing  in  thy  love. 


INDEX. 


PART    FIRST 

SABBATH  SCHOOLS. 


PAG£. 


Prayers  for  Superintendent,  9  and  42 

"         "  Teachers,  13  and  48 

"         "  Opening  the  School,  16 

"         "  Closing     "         "  29 

Prayer  for  Sick  Teacher  or  Scholar,  52 

"         "  Death  of  a  Teacher,  55 

"         "       "         «   Scholar,  58 
"      after  the  Recovery  of  a  Sick 

Teacher  or  Scholar,  61 

"      at  Dismissing  a  Scholar,  64 

"      "  the  Expulsion  of  a  Scholar,  67 
"      "    "  Opening  of  a  Teachers' 

Meeting,  69 

"      "    "  -Closing         "         "  76 

PART  SECOND. 

PRATERS  AND  HYMNS  FOR  WEEK-BAY  SCHOOLS., 

Morning  Prayer  for  Teacher,  83 

Evening      "        "        «  87 


INDEX.  159 

PAGE. 

Prayers  and  Hymns  for  Opening  and 
Closing  School  for  each  day  in  the 
week,  91-132 

FAMILY   PRAYERS. 

Morning  Prayer,  132 

Evening        "    '  135 

Prayers  for  Children,  138-144 

Prayers  at  Table,  144-148 


INDEX  OF  HYMNS, 

And  now  another  day  is  gone,  156 

Awake,  my  soul,  and  with  the  sun,  149 

Awake  !  my  heart,  awake  !  150 

Dear  children,  come  to  me,  -    117 

God  is  so  good  that  he  will  hear,  103 

Gracious  God,  we  look  to  thee,  94 

Hark  !  a  tender  Saviour  speaks,  113 

Holy  Bible,  book  divine,  110 

Hosannas  were  by  children  sung,  123 

I  am  young,  but  I  must  die,  100 

I  thank  thee,  Lord,  for  quiet  rest,  148 

Jesus,  tender  Shepherd,  hear  me,  154 

Jesus  says  that  we  must  love  him,  107 

Lord,  I  would  own  thy  tender  care,  127 

Lord,  teach  us  how  to  pray,  120 


160  INDEX 


Now  from  the  altar  of  our  hearts,  156 

Softly  now  the  light  of  day,  153 

The  week  is  passing  fast  away,  131 

The  day  is  past  and  gone,  154 

The  morning  breaks,  my  voice  I  raise,  151 

There  is  a  happy  land,  97 

Thou  from  whom  we  never  part,  155 

Through  all  the  dangers  of  the  night,  151 

To  thee  let  my  first  off 'rings  rise,  152 


•^^S*^%***^*^**^**^>i* 


EEEATA. 

Page  14,  line  11  from  above,  read  that, 

before  "in  it,"  and  line  12  omit  the  that, 

before  "I  may."      Page   65,   line   7  from 
above,  read  thy  for  they. 


